Memphis Name Meaning
The name Memphis is derived from the ancient Egyptian name “Men-nefer,” which means “enduring and beautiful.” This meaning is fitting for the ancient city, which was renowned for its beauty and architectural prowess.
Origins of the Name Memphis
The name Memphis has a long and storied history, tracing its roots back to ancient Egypt. The original Memphis was the capital of ancient Egypt during the Old Kingdom period, known for its impressive pyramids and temples dedicated to the gods. This original Memphis was considered one of the most important cities in the ancient world and was a center of trade, culture, and religion for thousands of years.
Popularity of the Name Memphis
While the ancient city of Memphis is a well-known and revered historical site, the name Memphis as a given name for boys is a relatively recent development. In fact, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the name Memphis started to gain popularity as a given name in the Western world.
The rise of the name Memphis can be traced back to the city in Tennessee, which was named after the ancient Egyptian city. The city of Memphis, Tennessee became a hub of trade and commerce in the 19th century, and was also a major center of blues and jazz music. As the city grew in prominence, so did the popularity of the name Memphis as a given name for boys.
The name Memphis reached its peak popularity as a boy’s name in the United States in the early 2010s, reaching a rank of 497 in the Social Security Administration’s list of most popular names for boys in 2013.
Final Thoughts on the Name Memphis
Today, the name Memphis is still a popular choice for boys, with parents drawn to its unique, trendy sound and its connection to both ancient history and American culture. Whether parents choose the name for its historical roots, its musical ties, or simply its stylish sound, Memphis is a name with a rich and fascinating history.
Infographic of Memphis name meaning, which is Established and beautiful
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Memphis Name Popularity
How popular is the name Memphis? Here’s everything we know.
| Year |
Rank |
# Births |
% Births |
| 1910 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1911 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1912 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1913 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1914 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1915 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1916 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1917 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1918 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1919 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1920 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1921 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1922 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1923 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1924 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1925 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1926 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1927 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1928 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1929 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1930 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1931 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1932 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1933 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1934 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1935 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1936 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1937 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1938 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1939 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1940 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1941 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1942 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1943 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1944 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1945 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1946 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1947 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1948 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1949 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1950 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1951 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1952 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1953 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1954 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1955 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1956 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1957 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1958 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1959 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1960 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1961 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1962 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1963 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1964 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1965 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1966 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1967 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1968 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1969 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1970 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1971 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1972 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1973 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1974 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1975 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1976 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1977 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1978 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1979 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1980 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1981 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1982 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1983 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1984 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1985 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1986 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1987 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1988 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1989 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1990 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1991 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1992 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1993 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1994 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1995 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1996 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1997 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1998 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 1999 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 2000 |
— |
0 |
0% |
| 2001 |
1,213 |
61 |
0.004% |
| 2002 |
1,063 |
90 |
0.006% |
| 2003 |
1,174 |
75 |
0.0049% |
| 2004 |
1,139 |
85 |
0.0056% |
| 2005 |
1,150 |
87 |
0.0057% |
| 2006 |
934 |
151 |
0.0096% |
| 2007 |
796 |
220 |
0.0139% |
| 2008 |
664 |
315 |
0.0204% |
| 2009 |
586 |
401 |
0.0268% |
| 2010 |
597 |
368 |
0.0255% |
| 2011 |
709 |
271 |
0.019% |
| 2012 |
719 |
268 |
0.0188% |
| 2013 |
625 |
341 |
0.024% |
| 2014 |
666 |
326 |
0.0224% |
| 2015 |
629 |
361 |
0.0248% |
| 2016 |
608 |
392 |
0.0272% |
| 2017 |
554 |
446 |
0.032% |
| 2018 |
451 |
600 |
0.0437% |
| 2019 |
420 |
684 |
0.0505% |
| 2020 |
457 |
600 |
0.0471% |
| 2021 |
401 |
742 |
0.0607% |
| 2022 |
444 |
668 |
0.0506% |
Data via SSA.gov.
Lists With Memphis
Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Memphis.
