Paris

Pronunciation: [ p-EHR-ihs ]

Boy Name #2,566 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

From Troy's prince to the City of Light

American French Greek English

Literary Bold Sophisticated Modern Classic

Meaning & Origin

"named after the Parisii Gallic tribe"

Origin: Gaulish Celtic

Language: French

"defender (Greek mythological meaning)"

Origin: Greek

Language: Greek

Things to Know About This Name

Strongly associated with female use due to Paris Hilton's fame, which may lead to gender-related comments for boys

The Story of Paris

Paris has two distinct origins: in Greek mythology, Paris (also called Alexander) was the Trojan prince whose abduction of Helen sparked the Trojan War — his name may derive from the Greek 'parrhasios' meaning 'defender.' Separately, the French capital Paris derives its name from the Parisii, a Gallic tribe that settled on the Seine around 250 BC. As a given name, it was originally distinctly masculine (from Greek myth) before becoming gender-neutral in the late 20th century.

Paris as a given name was historically used for boys (from Greek mythology), but shifted strongly toward girls in the late 1990s and 2000s primarily due to Paris Hilton's celebrity. For boys, it remains a distinctive choice that reclaims the name's classical masculine origins.

In Homer's Iliad, Paris is both the catalyst and a key figure in the Trojan War. His judgment — choosing Aphrodite's gift of the most beautiful woman over wisdom (Athena) or power (Hera) — set in motion one of the greatest stories in Western literature.

Fun Facts

In Greek mythology, Paris was also known as Alexander — suggesting he was both a shepherd's son and a prince
The Roman poet Ovid's 'Heroides' includes a letter from Paris to Helen, one of the earliest examples of epistolary fiction

Paris in Other Languages

Greek Paris

Latin Paris

French Paris

Italian Paride

Spanish Paris

Famous People Named Paris

Paris Jackson

Actor

1998

Daughter of Michael Jackson, model and actress

Paris Hilton

Entertainer

1981

American media personality and socialite whose fame helped popularize the name for girls

Paris of Troy Fictional

Military

Prince of Troy in Greek mythology whose abduction of Helen started the Trojan War, son of King Priam

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,566
Total SSA Count: 52
Cultural Origins: American French Greek English
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Par

Pairs Well With

Paris James Paris Alexander Paris Elias Paris Sebastian Paris Theodore Paris Julian Paris Michael

Sibling Names

Troy Phoebe Helena Achilles Athena Orion Cassandra

Also a Girl Name

Paris is also used as a girl name, ranked #484.

View Paris as a girl name →

Similar Names

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Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Paris

What does the name Paris mean?

"named after the Parisii Gallic tribe" (from Gaulish Celtic). "defender (Greek mythological meaning)" (from Greek). Paris has two distinct origins: in Greek mythology, Paris (also called Alexander) was the Trojan prince whose abduction of Helen sparked the Trojan War — his name may derive from the Greek 'parrhasios' meaning 'defender.' Separately, the French capital Paris derives its name from the Parisii, a Gallic tribe that settled on the Seine around 250 BC. As a given name, it was originally distinctly masculine (from Greek myth) before becoming gender-neutral in the late 20th century.

What is the origin of the name Paris?

Paris has Gaulish Celtic, Greek, American, French, and English origins. In Gaulish Celtic, it means "named after the Parisii Gallic tribe". In Greek, it means "defender (Greek mythological meaning)".

Is Paris a boy or girl name?

Paris is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #2566. As a girl name, it is ranked #484. Paris is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Paris?

Paris is pronounced p-EHR-ihs.

How popular is the name Paris?

Paris is currently ranked #2566 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Paris?

Common nicknames for Paris include Par.

What are good middle names for Paris?

Popular middle name pairings include Paris James, Paris Alexander, Paris Elias, Paris Sebastian, Paris Theodore, Paris Julian, and Paris Michael.

What are good sibling names for Paris?

Names that pair well with Paris as siblings include Troy, Phoebe, Helena, Achilles, Athena, Orion, and Cassandra.

How many syllables does Paris have?

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

Is Paris a common or rare name?

Paris is an uncommon name, ranked #2566 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Paris

Paris is a boy name with American, French, Greek, and English origins . The name means "named after the Parisii Gallic tribe" in Gaulish Celtic .

Is Paris a boy or girl name? Paris is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #2,566 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #484. Paris is more commonly used as a girl name.

Paris is currently ranked #2,566 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Paris has 2 syllables and is pronounced p-EHR-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Paris include Par. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.