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Boris
Pronounced BOR-is /ΛbΙr.Ιͺs/High
Meaning: From the Bulgar khan's name Boris, possibly Turkic for 'wolf' or 'short'; folk tradition links it to Slavic bor, 'battle, fight'Low
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Boris entered Slavic royalty with Khan Boris I, who Christianized Bulgaria in 864; his name is likely Bulgar Turkic β 'wolf' and 'short' are candidate readings β though folk etymology ties it to Slavic bor, 'battle'. Sainted princes, two Godunov-era tsars, Pasternak, Spassky, Yeltsin, and Becker carried it across a millennium.
In the U.S. it reads strongly Slavic and slightly theatrical β Karloff and cartoon Borises did that. It remains rare, a bear-coat of a name with genuine royal lining.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- β
Boris Pasternak (1890β1960)Russian poet and novelist, author of Doctor Zhivago and Nobel laureate.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Boris mean?
Boris likely comes from a Bulgar Turkic name meaning 'wolf' or 'short'; folk tradition links it to Slavic bor, 'battle'.
How do you pronounce Boris?
It's said BOR-is /ΛbΙr.Ιͺs/ β two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Boris a boy or girl name?
Boris is a boy's name.
How popular is Boris?
Boris is rare in the U.S. and classic across the Slavic world.