Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Aris
UnisexGreek· “best”
- Meaning
- best
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- AIR-is
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,333
- US babies 2025
- 144
- Best rank
- #1,333 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Aris
Aris is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “best”.
Aris is a Greek name related to aristos, meaning "best" or "excellent," and it often serves as a short form of names like Aristotle and Aristides. It has a clean, modern sound that travels easily beyond Greece. The same root appears in the English word aristocracy, originally "rule by the best." Aris is used for both boys and girls, and its brief, classical form makes it easy to pair with longer middle names.
Popularity over time
Aris first appears in US Social Security records in 1916. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #1,333, and its highest count, 144 babies. Use has grown 140% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #4,324 in 1920, #3,038 in 1950, #2,839 in 1980, #2,197 in 2000, #2,172 in 2010, and #1,333 in 2025. Of the 2,753 US boys named Aris since records began, 24% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 633 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Shilo, Storm, Copeland, Asiah, and Shaya.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Aris ranked highest in Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #470 | 10 |
| New York | #953 | 13 |
| Illinois | #1033 | 7 |
| Virginia | #1097 | 5 |
| Ohio | #1119 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Aris is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 41% of US babies named Aris were girls and 59% were boys.
Aris is usually pronounced AIR-is, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-is”.
Middle names for Aris
A few middle names that flow with Aris: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Aris
Similar names
Charis Girl
KEH-rihs
“grace” · Greek
#3,137
Iris Girl
EYE-ris
“rainbow” · Greek
#61
Ioannis Boy
yoh-AH-nis
“Greek form of John, "God is gracious"” · Greek
#3,796
Paris Girl
PEHR-ihs
“from the French city; Trojan prince” · French
#592
Memphis Unisex
MEHM-fuhs
“enduring and beautiful” · Egyptian
#640
Lois Girl
LOH-ihs
Greek
#1,670
Eris Girl
EHR-ihs
“strife” · Greek
#1,623
Doris Girl
DOR-ihs
“Dorian woman” · Greek
#2,909
Dennis Boy
DEH-nihs
“follower of Dionysus” · Greek
#707
Damaris Girl
duh-MAR-ihs
“uncertain; perhaps 'calf' or 'gentle'” · Greek
#1,437
Artemis Unisex
AHR-tuh-mihs
“Greek goddess; meaning uncertain” · Greek
#1,017
Osiris Boy
oh-SY-rihs
Egyptian
#1,077
Lists that include Aris
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Aris mean?
Aris is a Greek name that is usually said to mean “best”.
What is the origin of the name Aris?
Aris has Greek roots. Aris is a Greek name related to aristos, meaning "best" or "excellent," and it often serves as a short form of names like Aristotle and Aristides.
Is Aris a popular name?
Not especially. Aris ranked #1,333 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Aris a boy or girl name?
Aris is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 41% of US babies named Aris were girls and 59% were boys.
How do you pronounce Aris?
Aris is usually pronounced AIR-is. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings