Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Boris
BoySlavic, Russian· “uncertain; linked to Slavic "fight"”
- Meaning
- uncertain; linked to Slavic "fight" (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Slavic, Russian
- Pronunciation
- BAWR-ihs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,189
- US babies 2025
- 37
- Best rank
- #874 (1962)
- Peak year
- 1970
Meaning and origin of Boris
Boris is often said to mean “uncertain; linked to Slavic "fight"”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Slavic and Russian roots.
Boris is a Slavic name whose origin is disputed. It is often linked to the Slavic word boru, "fight" or "struggle," but some scholars trace it to a Turkic or Bulgar name meaning "wolf" or "short," so the meaning should be treated as uncertain. Boris I of Bulgaria converted his country to Christianity in the ninth century, and Saints Boris and Gleb, sons of Vladimir the Great, were the first saints of the Kievan Rus. Boris Godunov, the Russian tsar, gave his name to Pushkin's play and Mussorgsky's opera. It is said BOR-is.
Popularity over time
Boris first appears in US Social Security records in 1911. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 11 different years, starting in 1923. Its best national rank was #874 in 1962, and the most babies received it in 1970, when 82 were named Boris. In 2025, 37 babies were named Boris, and it ranked #3,189 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,351 in 1920, #2,601 in 1950, #1,814 in 1980, #1,877 in 2000, #2,584 in 2010, and #3,189 in 2025. Of the 4,621 US boys named Boris since records began, 13% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1960s come next, with 597 babies. Since 2010, 737 more have been named Boris.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Charlton, Luigi, Vinson, Bartholomew, and Alfonzo.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Boris ranked highest in New York and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #1801 | 5 |
| California | #1853 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Boris is usually pronounced BAWR-ihs, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with B and ends in “-is”.
Middle names for Boris
A few middle names that flow with Boris: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Boris
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Lists that include Boris
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Boris mean?
Boris is often said to mean “uncertain; linked to Slavic "fight"”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Slavic and Russian roots.
What is the origin of the name Boris?
Boris has Slavic and Russian roots. Boris is a Slavic name whose origin is disputed.
Is Boris a popular name?
Not especially. Boris ranked #3,189 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Boris a boy or girl name?
Boris is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Boris?
Boris is usually pronounced BAWR-ihs. 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