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Memphis

♀ Girl

Pronounced MEM-fis /ˈmɛm.fɪs/Medium

Meaning: from the ancient Egyptian capital city Memphis; the Greek name derives from Egyptian 'Men-nefer', interpreted as 'enduring and beautiful'Medium

In 30 seconds: Memphis takes its name from the ancient Egyptian capital; the Greek form comes from Egyptian 'Men-nefer', read as 'enduring and beautiful'.
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Origin MediumEgyptian, Greek
Meaningfrom the ancient Egyptian capital city Memphis; the Greek name derives from Egyptian 'Men-nefer', interpreted as 'enduring and beautiful'
U.S. rank (2024)#1599 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births131 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2022
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,404

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202219152024

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

History & Origin

This is a place name carried over to a person. Memphis was the great capital of ancient Egypt, and its Greek name reworks the Egyptian 'Men-nefer', understood as 'enduring and beautiful'. As a given name it brings that grand, historical weight with it.

The name's hard opening and crisp close give it a strong, modern ring, and its tie to a famous city lends it an unmistakable sense of place.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Memphis is 'enduring beauty', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Memphis — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Memphis…

Cairo— Another Egyptian place name used as a bold given name.
Alexandria— Like Memphis, a great Egyptian city name carried to a person.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Memphis mean?

Memphis is usually explained as meaning 'enduring beauty' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Memphis?

It's commonly said MEM-fis /ˈmɛm.fɪs/.

Is Memphis a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Memphis is used as a girl name.

How popular is Memphis?

In 2024, Memphis ranked #1599 in the U.S. for girls, with 131 births recorded.