Syrus

BoyPersian, American (modern coinage)· “variant of Cyrus”

Meaning
variant of Cyrus
Origin
Persian, American (modern coinage)
Pronunciation
SY-ruhs
Syllables
2
US rank 2025
#1,820
US babies 2025
88
Best rank
#1,481 (2023)
Peak year
2022

Meaning and origin of Syrus

Syrus is a Persian and American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “variant of Cyrus”.

Syrus is a respelling of Cyrus, the name of the Persian king Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire, who is also honored in the Hebrew Bible for letting exiles return to Jerusalem. The original Old Persian name is Kurush, and its meaning is uncertain; explanations such as "sun" or "far-sighted" are popular rather than proven. Swapping the C for an S keeps the sound, SY-ruhs, while giving the name a sleek, modern look. It sits well with other ancient names coming back into use, such as Atlas and Silas.

Popularity over time

038751121501990200020102020Peak 2022: 122
US babies named Syrus per year, 1880 to 2025

Syrus first appears in US Social Security records in 1982. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,481 in 2023, and the most babies received it in 2022, when 122 were named Syrus. In 2025, 88 babies were named Syrus, and it ranked #1,820 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.

Its national rank moved from #2,370 in 2000, #2,003 in 2010, and #1,820 in 2025. Of the 2,079 US boys named Syrus since records began, 36% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 629 babies.

Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Zaidyn, Karmelo, Sir, Massiah, and Kassius.

Where it is most popular (2025)

In 2025, Syrus ranked highest in Nebraska, Kansas, and Florida.

StateRank thereBabies
Nebraska#5075
Kansas#6835
Florida#16047
California#18139
New York#20085

Gender, sound and spelling

In the US it is used almost only for boys.

Syrus is usually pronounced SY-ruhs, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with S and ends in “-us”.

Middle names for Syrus

A few middle names that flow with Syrus: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
James Boy
JAYMZ
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · English
#6
John Boy
JAHN
“Yahweh is gracious” · Hebrew
#23
Leo Boy
LEE-oh
“lion” · Latin
#19
Rowan Unisex
ROH-uhn
“little red one; rowan tree” · Irish
#59

Sibling names for Syrus

Similar names

Cyrus Boy
SY-ruhs
“uncertain; name of a Persian king” · Persian
#268
Seamus Boy
SHAY-muhs
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · Irish
#1,280
Lucius Boy
LOO-shuhs
“light” · Latin
#1,129
Linus Boy
LY-nus
“flax” · Greek
#1,913
Angus Boy
ANG-guhs
“one strength” · Scottish
#2,363
Zacchaeus Boy
za-KEE-us
“pure, innocent” · Hebrew
#2,389
Jesus Boy
hay-SOOS
“Yahweh is salvation” · Spanish
#173
Titus Boy
TY-tuhs
“uncertain; a Roman given name” · Latin
#358
Landyn Boy
LAN-dihn
“variant of Landon, 'long hill'” · American (modern coinage)
#1,126
Jaylin Unisex
JAY-lihn
“blend of Jay and Lynn” · American (modern coinage)
#1,742
Cassius Boy
KASH-uhs
“uncertain (Roman family name)” · Latin
#583
Darian Boy
DAIR-ee-un
“variant of Darius” · Persian
#928

Lists that include Syrus

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Syrus mean?

Syrus is a Persian and American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “variant of Cyrus”.

What is the origin of the name Syrus?

Syrus has Persian and modern American roots. Syrus is a respelling of Cyrus, the name of the Persian king Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire, who is also honored in the Hebrew Bible for letting exiles return to Jerusalem.

Is Syrus a popular name?

Not especially. Syrus ranked #1,820 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.

Is Syrus a boy or girl name?

Syrus is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.

How do you pronounce Syrus?

Syrus 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