"sun, throne"
Origin: Old Persian
Language: English
Cyrus
Pronunciation: [ s-EYER-uhs ]
Boy Name
#255 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
The name of history's first champion of human rights
Persian
Iranian
English
American
Strong
Royal
Vintage
Bold
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"like the sun"
Origin: Ancient Persian Kurush
Language: Persian
Things to Know About This Name
- Miley Cyrus association may feel surname-like
The Story of Cyrus
Cyrus is the Latin and Greek rendering of the Old Persian name Kurush, believed to mean 'sun' or 'throne.' It is most famously borne by Cyrus the Great (c. 600–530 BC), founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, who united the ancient world's diverse peoples under a policy of tolerance and respect. His famous Cyrus Cylinder is considered one of the world's first declarations of human rights.
Cyrus has seen renewed interest in the 21st century as parents seek ancient names with gravitas. Despite (or perhaps because of) its association with the Miley Cyrus family, the name maintains a distinctly regal, historical character that appeals to parents drawn to powerful classical names.
In Iran and among the Persian diaspora, Cyrus (Kurush) is a name of supreme national pride — the founder of an empire that spanned three continents and practiced religious tolerance millennia before it was common. The name appears in the Bible as the king who freed the Israelites from Babylonian captivity.
Fun Facts
- Cyrus the Great's Cyrus Cylinder (539 BC) is considered one of the earliest human rights documents
- The name appears 23 times in the Hebrew Bible as the Persian king who freed the Jews
- Cyrus the Great's empire stretched from the Aegean Sea to the Indus River
Cyrus in Other Languages
Greek
Κῦρος
Arabic
كورش
French
Cyrus
Hebrew
כּוֹרֶשׁ
Persian
کوروش
Famous People Named Cyrus
B
C
Cyrus the Great
Military
Founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, known for his tolerance and human rights declarations
C
Cyrus Beene Fictional
Other
Fictional character in TV series Scandal, White House Chief of Staff played by Jeff Perry
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #255
- Total SSA Count
- 1,380
- Cultural Origins
- Persian Iranian English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Cy
Pairs Well With
Cyrus James
Cyrus Alexander
Cyrus Lee
Cyrus Andrew
Cyrus Thomas
Cyrus William
Cyrus River
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Cyrus is also used as a girl name, ranked #9564.
View Cyrus as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cyrus
What does the name Cyrus mean?
"sun, throne" (from Old Persian). "like the sun" (from Ancient Persian Kurush). Cyrus is the Latin and Greek rendering of the Old Persian name Kurush, believed to mean 'sun' or 'throne.' It is most famously borne by Cyrus the Great (c. 600–530 BC), founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, who united the ancient world's diverse peoples under a policy of tolerance and respect. His famous Cyrus Cylinder is considered one of the world's first declarations of human rights.
What is the origin of the name Cyrus?
Cyrus has Old Persian, Ancient Persian Kurush, Persian, Iranian, English, and American origins. In Old Persian, it means "sun, throne". In Ancient Persian Kurush, it means "like the sun".
Is Cyrus a boy or girl name?
Cyrus is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #255. As a girl name, it is ranked #9564. Cyrus is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Cyrus?
Cyrus is pronounced s-EYER-uhs.
How popular is the name Cyrus?
Cyrus is currently ranked #255 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cyrus?
Common nicknames for Cyrus include Cy.
What are good middle names for Cyrus?
Popular middle name pairings include Cyrus James, Cyrus Alexander, Cyrus Lee, Cyrus Andrew, Cyrus Thomas, Cyrus William, and Cyrus River.
What are good sibling names for Cyrus?
Names that pair well with Cyrus as siblings include Darius, Leila, Cassia, Orion, Lyra, Atticus, and Cleo.
How many syllables does Cyrus have?
Cyrus has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cyrus a common or rare name?
Cyrus is a popular name, ranked #255 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Cyrus
Cyrus is a boy name with Persian, Iranian, English, and American origins . The name means "sun, throne" in Old Persian .
Is Cyrus a boy or girl name? Cyrus is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #255 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #9,564. Cyrus is more commonly used as a boy name.
Cyrus is currently ranked #255 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Cyrus has 2 syllables and is pronounced s-EYER-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cyrus include Cy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.