Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Cyrus
BoyPersian, Greek· “uncertain; name of a Persian king”
- Meaning
- uncertain; name of a Persian king (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Persian, Greek
- Pronunciation
- SY-ruhs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #268
- US babies 2025
- 1,284
- Best rank
- #216 (1880)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Cyrus
Cyrus is often said to mean “uncertain; name of a Persian king”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Persian and Greek roots.
Cyrus is the Greek and Latin form of the Old Persian Kurush, the name of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. The meaning of Kurush is uncertain; the Greeks associated it with kyrios, lord, and it is sometimes linked to the sun, but neither explanation is established. In the Bible Cyrus is praised for allowing the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem. The name has been used in English since the Puritan era and is widely used in Iran as Kourosh. Cyrus feels bold and historic, with Cy as a short form.
Popularity over time
Cyrus has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #216 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 2024, when 1,389 were named Cyrus. In 2025, 1,284 babies were named Cyrus, and it ranked #268 nationally. That is 101% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #576 in 1920, #768 in 1950, #684 in 1980, #541 in 2000, #486 in 2010, and #268 in 2025. Of the 29,208 US boys named Cyrus since records began, 23% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 6,603 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Ronan, Shepherd, Crew, Zayn, and Muhammad.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Cyrus ranked highest in Hawaii, West Virginia, and Maine.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #72 | 12 |
| West Virginia | #148 | 13 |
| Maine | #159 | 8 |
| Virginia | #164 | 55 |
| District of Columbia | #175 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Cyrus is usually pronounced SY-ruhs, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with C and ends in “-us”.
Middle names for Cyrus
A few middle names that flow with Cyrus: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Cyrus
Similar names
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duh-RY-uhs
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Augustus Boy
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dih-MEE-tree-uhs
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Lists that include Cyrus
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Cyrus mean?
Cyrus is often said to mean “uncertain; name of a Persian king”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Persian and Greek roots.
What is the origin of the name Cyrus?
Cyrus has Persian and Greek roots. Cyrus is the Greek and Latin form of the Old Persian Kurush, the name of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
Is Cyrus a popular name?
Yes. Cyrus ranked #268 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Cyrus a boy or girl name?
Cyrus is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Cyrus?
Cyrus is usually pronounced SY-ruhs. 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