Iphis

Greek

"strong, stout"

Iphis Origin and Meaning

The name Iphis is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "strong, stout".

Iphis is a unisex ancient Greek name that appears a number of times throughout Greek mythology, as a King of Argos, one of the Argonauts, and a Thespian princess. Most notably, however, it features in Ovid's Metamorphoses, in the tale of Iphis and Ianthe.

According to Ovid, Iphis is born a girl, however, to save them from being put to death by the father (who can't afford a woman's dowry), Iphis's mother conceals their sex and raises them as a boy. Iphis goes on to fall in love with Ianthe, but realizes they cannot wed as they are. While Iphis laments to Juno about the problem, their mother goes to a temple of Isis to ask for guidance, and, Just before the wedding is set to take place, Iphis is transformed into a man.

Possibly derived from the Greek iphios meaning "strong, stout" or "force", Iphis can be said as IE-fis or IF-fiss. A rare choice, it may appeal to those who like Iris, Idris, Ira, or Paris, or for those looking for a unisex name with mythological ties and and LGBTQ+ connections.