Iris

Meaning: rainbow · Origin: Greek · Gender: usually a girl's name

Origin & history

Greek for 'rainbow'; Iris was the messenger goddess who travelled on a rainbow. It is also the name of a flower and the coloured part of the eye.

Famous people named Iris

Iris Murdoch (novelist)
Iris Apfel (designer)

Nicknames

Ris

Variants & related names

Irys, Iride

Iris name art

A free preview of a printable “Iris” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Iris mean?

Iris means “rainbow”. It comes from Greek.

Is Iris a popular name?

Yes — Iris has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Iris?

Ris.

What are other forms of Iris?

Irys, Iride.

Similar names

Andrea · Ariana · Daphne · Harmony · Katherine · Melanie

More: names starting with I · all girls' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.