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%

Alabama (AL)

Arkansas (AR)

Arizona (AZ)

California (CA)

Colorado (CO)

Connecticut (CT)

Delaware (DE)

Florida (FL)

Georgia (GA)

Iowa (IA)

Idaho (ID)

Illinois (IL)

Indiana (IN)

Kansas (KS)

Kentucky (KY)

Louisiana (LA)

Massachusetts (MA)

Maryland (MD)

Maine (ME)

Michigan (MI)

Minnesota (MN)

Missouri (MO)

Mississippi (MS)

Montana (MT)

North Carolina (NC)

North Dakota (ND)

Nebraska (NE)

New Jersey (NJ)

New Mexico (NM)

Nevada (NV)

New York (NY)

Ohio (OH)

Oklahoma (OK)

Oregon (OR)

Pennsylvania (PA)

South Carolina (SC)

South Dakota (SD)

Tennessee (TN)

Texas (TX)

Utah (UT)

Virginia (VA)

Washington (WA)

Wisconsin (WI)

West Virginia (WV)

Data via SSA.gov.



Lists With Memphis

Find inspiration in these baby boy name lists featuring the name Memphis.


8 Comments

  1. My sons 9 and his names Memphis as a Elvis fan I fell in love with the name and i was struggling to come up with a boy name and I was watching gone in 60 seconds and heard the name and I loved it so it stuck and as for a nickname we call him memph.

  2. My son is almost two in June 2024 and his name is Memphis Jay and I choose his name because of the meaning Enduring and Beautiful and Jay means rejoice, healer and may God protect. He has such a strong name I have no doubts he will be nothing but incredible! Such a great name!

    • My sons name is Memphis Tripp and he will be 2 on May 24th?

  3. I used to work at a daycare and i had a baby named Memphis, he was autistic but the sweetest little boy ever so that’s why i love the name, so if i ever had a boy he’d be Memphis!

  4. His dad chose his name. I’m not sure why. I think he just liked it. I love the name Memphis because it’s unique and it is fitting for him. We are absolutely in love with Memphis. I can’t even describe it. I could snuggle him all day long!

  5. I love my sons name: Memphis. My boyfriend actually came up
    With it and it’s from Elvis! At first i thought it was from the movie gone in 60 seconds but no! The only thing I don’t like is there isn’t a shorter version of the name for a nick name but, other than that I love it!!

    • I got Memphis from gone in 60 seconds!! I’m in love with my sons name! It’s so rare to hear others name there kiddos that!

      • My 8 month olds name is Memphis, and it’s from gone in 60 seconds!


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