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Alternatives to Iris

MiaLen
By MiaLen
Updated Mon Mar 04 2024
Iris is a goddess, a flower, and an ecovintage favorite, currently ranking 84nd in the US. Here are some similar names.
  1. Aeris

    • Description:

      Aeris is a feminine name with ethereal qualities, derived from the Latin word 'aer' meaning 'air' or 'atmosphere.' The name gained significant recognition through the character Aeris Gainsborough in the popular 1997 video game Final Fantasy VII, contributing to its modern usage. With its connection to air and the heavens, Aeris evokes a sense of lightness, freedom, and spiritual elevation. The name has a melodic quality with its soft consonants and flowing vowels. While still relatively uncommon, Aeris has attracted parents seeking names with nature connections and mystical undertones. Its popularity saw some increase in the early 2000s among gaming enthusiasts and those drawn to names with celestial or elemental associations.
  2. Alice

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "noble"

    • Description:

      Alice is a classic literary name that's both strong and sweet, ranking in the US Top 100 and popular throughout the Western world. Alice is derived from the Old French name Aalis, a diminutive of Adelais that itself came from the Germanic name Adalhaidis, which is composed of the Proto-Germanic elements aþala, meaning "noble," and haidu, "kind, appearance, type."
  3. Aris

    • Description:

      Aris is a concise feminine name with multiple cultural origins. It can be a Greek name meaning 'best' or 'superior,' derived from the prefix 'ari-' which denotes excellence. In some cultures, it may be a shortened form of Aristotle or Paris. As a feminine name, it often functions as a variation of Ariel or Ariadne. Aris has a contemporary, streamlined feel while still connecting to ancient roots. Its brevity and melodic quality make it globally appealing, working well across different languages and cultures. Though relatively uncommon, the name has gained some popularity in recent years for its elegant simplicity and cross-cultural versatility.
  4. Artemis

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "safe or butcher"

    • Description:

      Artemis, one of the key figures of the female Greek pantheon, is the ancient virgin goddess of the hunt, wilderness, animals, childbirth, and a protector of young girls, later associated with the moon. Artemis is the equivalent to the Roman Diana, but a fresher and more distinctive, if offbeat, choice.
  5. Astrid

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "divinely beautiful"

    • Description:

      Astrid has been a Scandinavian royal name since the tenth century, and many people associated it with the Swedish author of the Pippi Longstocking stories, Astrid Lindgren. Astrid is derived from the name Ástríðr, which is made up of the Old Norse elements that mean "god" and "beautiful."
  6. Aurora

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "dawn"

    • Description:

      The goddess name Aurora has consistently been on the US popularity list since the nineteenth century, but has really taken off in the past 30 years. Aurora also enjoys remarkable international popularity, ranking in the Top 100 throughout the English-speaking world as well as in Italy, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, and several other European and Latin American countries.
  7. Beatrice

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "she who brings happiness; blessed"

    • Description:

      Beatrice is back. Stored in the attic for almost a century, the lovely Beatrice with its long literary (Shakespeare, Dante) and royal history is being looked at with fresh eyes by parents seeking a classic name with character and lots of upbeat nicknames, like Bea and Bee.
  8. Carys

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "love"

    • Description:

      Familiar in Wales and England, this name was introduced to America when Welsh-born Catherine Zeta-Jones and husband Michael Douglas chose it for their daughter in 2003. Light, pretty, and distinctive in appearance, it didn't catch on in the US, where it was only given to 22 girls in 2023.
  9. Clover

    • Origin:

      Flower name, from Old English

    • Meaning:

      "key"

    • Description:

      Clover is a charming, perky choice if you want to move beyond hothouse blooms like Rose and Lily, and it's recently become a new celeb favorite, chosen by both Neal McDonough and Natasha Gregson Wagner, who used it to honor her mother, Natalie Wood, one of whose most iconic films was Inside Daisy Clover.
  10. Cora

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "maiden"

    • Description:

      Cora is a lovely, old-fashioned girls' that has been recently rejuvenated by its contemporary-feeling simplicity. In fact, Cora seemed headed straight for the top of the popularity list when the coronavirus pandemic somewhat weakened its appeal.
  11. Daisy

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Margaret or flower name, English

    • Meaning:

      "day's eye"

    • Description:

      Daisy, fresh, wholesome, and energetic, is one of the flower names that burst back into bloom after a century's hibernation. In 2024, it burst back into the Top 100 for the first time since 1908.
  12. Eden

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "place of pleasure, delight"

    • Description:

      Eden is an attractive, serene name with obvious intimations of Paradise, one of several place names drawn from the Bible by the Puritans in the 17th century.
  13. Edris

    • Description:

      Edris is a feminine name with rich multicultural origins. In Arabic tradition, it's the name of a prophet identified with the biblical Enoch, meaning 'interpreter' or 'studious.' The name also appears in Persian culture with connections to learning and wisdom. In Welsh contexts, Edris relates to the name Idris, associated with the legendary giant and astronomer of Welsh mythology. This cross-cultural name offers a distinctive yet accessible sound that travels well across linguistic boundaries. While traditionally more common in Muslim communities, Edris has potential broader appeal as parents increasingly seek meaningful names with international roots. The name's connections to wisdom and knowledge give it an intellectual quality, while its brevity and ending sound make it distinctively feminine yet strong.

  14. Eirys

    • Origin:

      Welsh, from English flower name

    • Description:

      Cymricized version of the English flower/rainbow/goddess name Iris.
  15. Ellis

    • Origin:

      English surname derived from Elijah or Elias or Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "benevolent"

    • Description:

      Ellis, a surname used sparingly as a first in the Wallace/Morris period, sounds new now for girls, as a gender-neutral alternative to Ella or Alice. It debuted in the US Top 1000 for girls in 2015.-- Ellis has always been in the Top 1000 for boys -- and seems to be headed straight up. One of the most popular gender-neutral names, currently there are two baby boys named Ellis for every girl.
  16. Eloise

    • Origin:

      French and English variation of Heloise

    • Meaning:

      "healthy; wide"

    • Description:

      Well balanced between sleek, sweet, strong, and vintage, newly chic Eloise re-entered the US Top 1000 in 2009, following a 50-year absence. In 2022, it broke into the Top 100 in the US and across the pond in the UK. Given to nearly 3000 babies each year, Eloise is showing no sign of stepping out of the spotlight.
  17. Enfys

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "rainbow"

    • Description:

      The Welsh name Enfys is a unisex name, although it is more commonly used as a feminine name. It is rare even in the United Kingdom, used on only a handful of children each year.
  18. Eos

    • Origin:

      Greek; Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "dawn; nightingale"

    • Description:

      Eos -- that's pronounced with a short e like eros without the r -- is the Greek Titan of the dawn. Any ancient name with a sleek modern feel has definite revival possibilities. Eos could be an inventive way to honor grandma Dawn.
  19. Eris

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "strife, discord"

    • Description:

      Eris was the goddess of strife and discord, turned fairy tale and then popular culture figure Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty. Ironic, as her name sounds so much like that of Eros, the god of love.
  20. Eiris