How to say it
I · ris
ˈaɪ.rɪs
Feminine
Iris
Rainbow
What it means
Greek for 'rainbow,' personified as the goddess Iris, the messenger between the gods and humanity. Also the flower named for the same root, and the colored part of the eye.
Iris is the Greek word for rainbow. In myth Iris is a minor goddess and messenger between Olympus and earth, traveling along the rainbow. The flower was named for the same root because its varied colors echo a rainbow. The colored part of the eye gets its name from the same source. As a given name it stayed marginal until the late 19th century, then caught on with the late-Victorian flower-and-color wave alongside Violet, Rose, and Hazel. It's been in the US top 200 since 2014. One syllable in some dialects, two in most; either is fine.
How to spell Iris
The standard spelling is Iris. Common variants include Iridis, but Iris is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #61 in 2025, currently #61 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Pronunciation
EYE-ris, two syllables. The S is sounded clearly, not soft like a Z.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Iris Murdoch British-Irish novelist and philosopher, The Sea, The Sea
- Iris Apfel American businesswoman and style icon known for oversized glasses
- Iris (Greek myth) Goddess of the rainbow and messenger between Olympus and earth
Spelling variants
- Iridis
Names with the same feeling
See Iris from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Iris mean?
- Greek for 'rainbow,' personified as the goddess Iris, the messenger between the gods and humanity. Also the flower named for the same root, and the colored part of the eye.
- What does Iris mean in Greek?
- In Greek, Iris means "Rainbow." Iris is the Greek word for rainbow. In myth Iris is a minor goddess and messenger between Olympus and earth, traveling along the rainbow. The flower was named for the same root because its varied colors echo a rainbow. The colored part of the eye gets its name from the same source. As a given name it stayed marginal until the late 19th century, then caught on with the late-Victorian flower-and-color wave alongside Violet, Rose, and Hazel. It's been in the US top 200 since 2014. One syllable in some dialects, two in most; either is fine.
- How do you pronounce Iris?
- Iris is pronounced ˈaɪ.rɪs. Say it as I-ris, with the stress on the "i" syllable.
- How do you spell Iris?
- The standard spelling is Iris. Common spelling variants include Iridis.
- Is Iris a boy or girl name?
- Iris is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Iris?
- Iris ranked #61 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.