The nameBoris
Boris is a Slavic name of tsars and writers. It is short, strong and easy to say in English.
- Boy's name
- Slavic
Meaning
Boris is of uncertain origin, often traced to a Bulgar name or to the Slavic borti, "to fight".
Origin
Slavic.
History
Saint Boris was a prince of Kyiv who died in 1015. In England and Wales Boris reached 721st place in 2018.
Did you know?
- Boris Becker won Wimbledon in 1985 aged 17, the youngest men's champion in the tournament's history.
Famous people named Boris
- Boris Pasternak, novelist
- Boris Becker, tennis player
- Boris Karloff, actor
Popularity of the name Boris
Boris in the United States
Boris was most popular in the United States in the 1990s, with 603 births over the decade, 13% of all recorded babies named Boris. Its rise began around 1912, and it peaked in 1970. Half of all babies named Boris in the United States were born before 1979, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 39 births a year on average, against 49 in the five years before.
Boris in the United Kingdom
Boris was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 371 births over the decade, 51% of all recorded babies named Boris. Half of all babies named Boris in the United Kingdom were born before 2015, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 27 births a year on average, against 41 in the five years before.
Boris in France
Boris in Belgium
Boris in Austria
Sibling names for Boris
Names from the same generation as Boris, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Boris? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Boris with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Boris side by side with the name of your choice.
Boris in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Boris mean?
Boris is of uncertain origin, often traced to a Bulgar name or to the Slavic borti, "to fight".
What is the origin of the name Boris?
Slavic.
Is Boris a girl's or a boy's name?
Boris is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Boris?
In 2024, Boris was the 3374th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 35 births.
What are good sibling names for Boris?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Malina, Sonja, Selma and Jeanne for a sister, Vladimir, Alain, Kamil and Hubert for a brother.
Who are famous people named Boris?
Boris Pasternak, novelist; Boris Becker, tennis player; Boris Karloff, actor.