Memphis

Pronunciation: [ m-EHMF-uhs ]

Girl Name #1,596 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Ancient Egyptian royalty meets American musical soul

American American South

Bold Vintage Earthy

Meaning & Origin

"white walls (Inbu-hedj, alternate name)"

Origin: Ancient Egyptian

Language: Egyptian

The Story of Memphis

Memphis derives from the ancient Egyptian Men-nefer or Inbu-hedj, meaning enduring and beautiful or white walls. It was the capital of ancient Egypt for much of the Old Kingdom (2686-2181 BC), home to the great temples and a center for the building of the pyramids at Giza. The name was transliterated into Greek as Memphis and eventually became the name of a Tennessee city founded in 1819.

Memphis has grown steadily as a girl's name in the 2010s, riding the wave of place names for girls alongside Savannah, Paris, and Brooklyn. It carries distinctly American Southern soul, closely associated with the birthplace of blues, rock and roll, and soul music.

Memphis, Tennessee is one of America's most musically significant cities, home to Sun Studio where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded, Stax Records, Beale Street blues, and the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated there in 1968.

Fun Facts

Ancient Memphis was one of the largest cities in the ancient world at its peak
Memphis, Tennessee is home to Graceland (Elvis Presley's estate), Sun Studio, and Stax Museum of American Soul Music
The Great Pyramid of Giza was built during the era when Memphis was Egypt's capital

Memphis in Other Languages

Greek Μέμφις

Arabic ممفيس

French Memphis

English Memphis

Spanish Memphis

Famous People Named Memphis

Memphis Bleek

Musician

1978

American rapper and protege of Jay-Z, known for his work in hip-hop during the late 1990s-2000s

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #1,596
Total SSA Count: 131
Cultural Origins: American American South
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Mem Memphy

Pairs Well With

Memphis Rose Memphis Grace Memphis Jane Memphis Lee Memphis Jo Memphis Lynn

Sibling Names

Dallas Phoenix River Savannah Austin Lennox

Also a Boy Name

Memphis is also used as a boy name, ranked #589.

View Memphis as a boy name →

Similar Names

Amber Alex Ellis Lexie Ever Alexandra Atlas Alex

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Memphis and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Memphis sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

🧝 Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
🐾 Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
🎭 Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres

Frequently Asked Questions About Memphis

What does the name Memphis mean?

"white walls (Inbu-hedj, alternate name)" (from Ancient Egyptian). Memphis derives from the ancient Egyptian Men-nefer or Inbu-hedj, meaning enduring and beautiful or white walls. It was the capital of ancient Egypt for much of the Old Kingdom (2686-2181 BC), home to the great temples and a center for the building of the pyramids at Giza. The name was transliterated into Greek as Memphis and eventually became the name of a Tennessee city founded in 1819.

What is the origin of the name Memphis?

Memphis has Ancient Egyptian, American, and American South origins. In Ancient Egyptian, it means "white walls (Inbu-hedj, alternate name)".

Is Memphis a boy or girl name?

Memphis is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1596. As a boy name, it is ranked #589. Memphis is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Memphis?

Memphis is pronounced m-EHMF-uhs.

How popular is the name Memphis?

Memphis is currently ranked #1596 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Memphis?

Common nicknames for Memphis include Mem and Memphy.

What are good middle names for Memphis?

Popular middle name pairings include Memphis Rose, Memphis Grace, Memphis Jane, Memphis Lee, Memphis Jo, and Memphis Lynn.

What are good sibling names for Memphis?

Names that pair well with Memphis as siblings include Dallas, Phoenix, River, Savannah, Austin, and Lennox.

How many syllables does Memphis have?

Memphis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Memphis a common or rare name?

Memphis is an uncommon name, ranked #1596 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Memphis

Memphis is a girl name with American and American South origins . The name means "white walls (Inbu-hedj, alternate name)" in Ancient Egyptian .

Is Memphis a boy or girl name? Memphis is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,596 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #589. Memphis is more commonly used as a boy name.

Memphis is currently ranked #1,596 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Memphis has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-EHMF-uhs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Memphis include Mem and Memphy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.