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Memphis

♂ Boy

Pronounced MEM-fis /ˈmɛm.fɪs/High

Meaning: From the ancient Egyptian city Men-nefer, meaning enduring and beautiful or good place; Memphis was the ancient capital of Egypt and later the name of a major city in TennesseeHigh

In 30 seconds: A bold place-name with ancient Egyptian roots and deep American South resonance, Memphis evokes both pharaonic grandeur and the birthplace of blues and rock and roll.
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Origin HighEgyptian, English
MeaningFrom the ancient Egyptian city Men-nefer, meaning enduring and beautiful or good place; Memphis was the ancient capital of Egypt and later the name of a major city in Tennessee
U.S. rank (2025)#640 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births437 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 10,177

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202119162025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Memphis began as a place name of ancient Egyptian origin. The city of Men-nefer on the Nile Delta was the capital of ancient Egypt for much of the Old and Middle Kingdom periods and was a center of worship of the god Ptah. Greek travelers transliterated it as Memphis. In 1819 the city of Memphis, Tennessee was founded and named after the ancient Egyptian capital by its founders, who drew a parallel between the Mississippi and the Nile.

As a given name, Memphis rode the wave of place-name popularity that accelerated in the 2000s and 2010s alongside names like Austin, Dallas, and Phoenix. It has a notably Southern American cultural resonance — Memphis, Tennessee is the city of Elvis Presley, B.B. King, and the birthplace of rock and roll — giving the name both geographical and musical depth. It appears more frequently for boys but is used for girls as well.

Did you know? The ancient Egyptian city of Memphis was one of the greatest cities of the ancient world, serving as the capital of the Old Kingdom. The Greeks called it Memphis, adapting the Egyptian Men-nefer.
Overall data confidence 87%
Behind the Name — Memphis — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

Memphys

Nicknames

Mem

Famous Bearers

  • ★Memphis Bleek (1978–present)
    American rapper from Brooklyn, New York, known for his work with Roc-A-Fella Records.

If you like Memphis…

Phoenix— fellow bold American place-name with ancient mythological overtones
Dallas— shares the Southern U.S. place-name energy with a strong, punchy sound
Austin— another American city name that crossed confidently into the given-name space
Hudson— geographic surname-name with the same rugged, American character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Memphis mean?

Memphis derives from the ancient Egyptian Men-nefer, meaning enduring and beautiful or good place. It was the name of ancient Egypt's greatest capital city.

How do you pronounce Memphis?

It is said MEM-fis /ˈmɛm.fɪs/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Memphis a popular baby name?

Memphis has been rising as a given name in the U.S. since the 2000s, fitting the trend for bold, geographic names.

Is Memphis a boy or girl name?

Memphis is used mostly for boys but occasionally for girls too, making it lightly unisex.