Memphis
2025 SSA
2025 SSA
About Memphis
A place name with plenty of history, Memphis is associated with the place in Ancient Egypt where many of the pyramids were built, and with the bluesy US city that was named after it. With its lovely meaning and cool, musical vibe, it is currently in the US Top 500 names for boys.
Memphis for boys#640 US
Deriving from the Greek form of the Egyptian name Men-nefer, Memphis has been notably borne by rapper Memphis Bleek and by Dutch footballer, known mononymously as Memphis (who likely inspired its brief appearance in The Netherlands Top 1000 in 2015). In the US, it is a unisex name, however, it is used three times more often for boys, with 484 receiving the name in 2024.
Memphis for girls#1494 US
Tied to the bluesy southern city and to the world heritage cite in Egypt after which it was named, Memphis is a modern choice with ancient history. Currently significantly more popular for boys in the US, as a place name with sounds reminiscent of Paris, Meredith and Emma, it has plenty of potential as a unisex choice.
Musician-activist Bono chose the name for his daughter back in the 90s, but it failed to catch on, with even his daughter going by her middle name, Eve. It wasn't until 2006 when the name entered the Top 1000 for boys that it began to take off for girls and it has been mostly on the rise since then.
Given to around 200 girls in 2023, it is still three times more popular for boys - however, this gap is slowly getting narrower.
Pronounced MEM-fis.
As of October 2026, Memphis ranked #640 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #404 in 2021, Nameberry popularity #883.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #684 | 370 | #1,934 | 104 |
| 2015 | #649 | 401 | #1,930 | 105 |
| 2016 | #623 | 429 | #2,109 | 93 |
| 2017 | #563 | 482 | #2,030 | 97 |
| 2018 | #458 | 646 | #1,510 | 145 |
| 2019 | #432 | 710 | #1,353 | 168 |
| 2020 | #455 | 653 | #1,313 | 168 |
| 2021 | #404 | 768 | #1,131 | 218 |
| 2022 | #441 | 705 | #1,024 | 251 |
| 2023 | #489 | 613 | #1,164 | 207 |
| 2024 | #588 | 484 | #1,599 | 131 |
| 2025 | #640 | 437 | #1,494 | 143 |
World rankings
Memphis for boys
Memphis for girls
Similar names
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Memphis on lists
Famous Memphiss
- Memphis DepayBoy
Dutch footballer
- Memphis BleekBoy
stage name of Malik Cox, American rapper
- Memphis Aldean Williams (b.2017)Boy
son of singer Jason Aldean and Brittany Kerr.
- Memphis Morgan (b. 2015)Boy
son of actress Emily Rose
- Memphis Eve Sunny Day Hewson (b. 1991)Girl
daughter of singer Bono & Ali Hewson
- Memphis Kelly (b. 1993)Girl
daughter of singer Paul Kelly
- Memphis Cushman (b. 2000)Girl
daughter of TV personality Danielle Colby Cushman
- Memphis Quinn Bamford (b. 2009)Girl
daughter of singer Gord Bamford
- Memphis Rayne Parker (b. 2010)Girl
daughter of rugby league player Corey Parker
Memphis in pop culture
- MemphisBoy
the Ancient Egyptian city, is also known as "Noph"
- MemphisBoy
penguin in animated film Happy Feet
- Memphis CampbellBoy
a character in Libba Bray's "The Diviners"
- Randall "Memphis" RainesBoy
character in film "Gone In 60 Seconds"
- Memphis May FireBoy
screamo/rock band
- MemphisGirl
Ancient Egyptian city