"sun, sunshine"
Syrus
Does Syrus flow with your last name?
Named for history's most celebrated liberator — sun-crowned and royal
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Syrus
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Meaning & Origin
"throne"
"the Persian"
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Syrus
Syrus is an alternate spelling of Cyrus, the Greek form of the Persian name Kūruš (کوروش). The meaning is debated — it may derive from Old Persian 'khur' meaning sun, or from Old Persian 'kuru' meaning throne, or possibly from Elamite. Cyrus the Great (600-530 BCE), founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, was celebrated in the Hebrew Bible as a liberator who freed the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity. The name carries extraordinary historical weight.
Cyrus/Syrus has seen a revival fueled by multiple cultural touchpoints: the Miley Cyrus/Billy Ray Cyrus family (who spell it Cyrus), the beloved character Syrus (Sy) in the film Boyz n the Hood (1991), and broader interest in Persian-origin names. The 'y' spelling gives it a modern, distinctive edge.
Cyrus the Great is revered in Persian culture as the founder of the first Persian Empire and one of antiquity's most enlightened rulers. His Cyrus Cylinder, created after his conquest of Babylon in 539 BCE, is sometimes called the world's first human rights charter. In the Hebrew Bible, he is praised as a messiah-like figure who freed the Jews. The name carries remarkable historic dignity.
Historical Record
Syrus first appeared in US Social Security records in 1982.
Over 1,989 babies have been named Syrus in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Syrus is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,724 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Cyrus the Great's Cyrus Cylinder (539 BCE) is considered by some scholars the world's first declaration of human rights
- The Hebrew Bible refers to Cyrus the Great as a messiah ('mashiach') — one of the very few non-Jews given this title
- Billy Ray Cyrus named himself and his family after Cyrus the Great
Syrus in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Syrus
Miley Cyrus
Musician
1992
American singer and actress who rose to fame on Hannah Montana and went on to become a global pop star
Billy Ray Cyrus
Musician
1961
American country singer known for Achy Breaky Heart and father of pop star Miley Cyrus
Cyrus the Great
Royalty
600
Founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, who freed the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity and created what some ca...
Founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, who freed the Jewish people from Babylonian captivity and created what some call the world's first human rights charter
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,724
- Total SSA Count
- 96
- Cultural Origins
- Persian American Greek
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Syrus
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Persian)
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View all →Latin origin
"sad, melancholy (folk etymology)"
#1,577 in US
Middle English (sclater/slater) origin
"one who works with slate"
#1,543 in US
Egyptian (Pa-nehesi) origin
"the Nubian, the southerner"
#1,540 in US
Old English origin
"wild garlic island"
#1,753 in US
Hebrew Ahiram origin
"my brother is high, noble"
#1,768 in US
Old English origin
"king, ruler"
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Old English origin
"king, lord of the people"
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Latin/Hebrew origin
"saint of God, blessed by God"
#1,807 in US
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Frequently Asked Questions About Syrus
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About the Name Syrus
Syrus is a boy name with Persian, American, and Greek origins . The name means "sun, sunshine" in Old Persian khur .
Syrus is currently ranked #1,724 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Syrus has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Syrus include Sy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis