Cyrus is a Persian masculine given name meaning “the Sun”, “like Sun”, “young”, “hero”, or “humiliator of the enemy in verbal contest”. Parents exploring traditional baby name origins often discover this title through its ancient heritage and distinctive international presence. The name remains widespread among Zoroastrians, particularly in India, and is also relatively common throughout the Anglophone world.
Meaning and Origin
Cyrus is historically best known as the name of several Persian kings, most notably Cyrus the Great, who founded the Achaemenid Empire in 550 BC. As a word in modern English, Cyrus represents the Latinized form of the Greek Κῦρος (Kȳros), which originated from the Old Persian name 𐎤𐎢𐎽𐎢𐏁 (Kūruš). English borrowed the name from Latin Cȳrus, which was adapted directly from Ancient Greek.
The etymology of Cyrus has been and continues to be a topic of discussion amongst historians, linguists, and scholars of Iranology. The Old Persian name kuruš has been interpreted in various forms, including “the Sun”, “like Sun”, “young”, “hero”, and “humiliator of the enemy in verbal contest”. In Elamite, the related form Kuraš has been translated as one “who bestows care”. As a saints’ name, Cyrus has also been identified through folk etymology with the Ancient Greek term κύριος (kúrios), which translates as “lord”.
The name has appeared on many monuments and inscriptions in Old Persian. In southwestern Iran at Morghab, a small inscription contains an Old Persian sentence meaning “I am Cyrus”. Ancient inscriptions across neighboring civilizations also reflect the name in different regional languages, including Elamite Kuraš, Babylonian Ku(r)-raš or Ku-ra-áš, and Imperial Aramaic kwrš. Today, the modern Persian form of the name is Kūroš.
Pronunciation
Cyrus is pronounced SY-rus in American English. The initial syllable rhymes with “pie”, “my”, or “sky”. The second syllable rhymes with “bus” or “fuss”. Primary vocal stress rests on the first syllable, creating a crisp two-syllable rhythm.
Popularity in the US
Cyrus first appears in the SSA data in 1880, which represents its historical peak rank at #216. In the United States, it is most often given to boys, with 29,208 US boys given the name in total since 1880. By 1950, the name held rank #768 with 80 babies, before rising to rank #684 with 160 babies in 1980. The name climbed steadily in subsequent years, reaching rank #541 with 397 babies in 2000 and rank #486 with 535 babies in 2010. Cyrus continued its upward momentum to rank #369 with 843 babies in 2020, eventually achieving rank #268 with 1,284 babies in 2025.
| Year | US rank (boys) | Babies named Cyrus |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | #768 | 80 |
| 1980 | #684 | 160 |
| 2000 | #541 | 397 |
| 2010 | #486 | 535 |
| 2020 | #369 | 843 |
| 2025 | #268 | 1,284 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data (names given to at least 5 babies in a year).
Nicknames
Common short forms and casual diminutives of the name Cyrus include:
- Cy
- Cye
- Cyro
- Rus
- Russ
Famous People Named Cyrus
Prominent historical figures named Cyrus include:
- Cyrus the Great: The Persian king who founded the Achaemenid Empire in 550 BC and established an influential legacy across the ancient world.
- Cyrus McCormick: The American inventor who developed the mechanical reaper, transforming agricultural harvesting across the United States.
- Cyrus Vance: The American lawyer and diplomat who served as United States Secretary of State under President Jimmy Carter.
Middle and Sibling Names
Distinguished middle names that pair smoothly with Cyrus include Alexander, James, Thomas, and Jasper.
Complementary sibling names for brothers and sisters include Benjamin, Chloe, Felix, and Abigail.
FAQ
What root words are associated with the name Cyrus?
The name Cyrus traces back to the Old Persian name kuruš, which linguists and historians interpret as “the Sun”, “like Sun”, “young”, “hero”, or “humiliator of the enemy in verbal contest”. In addition, the Elamite translation Kuraš means one “who bestows care”, while Christian folk etymology linked the saints’ name to Ancient Greek κύριος (kúrios), meaning “lord”.
What historical variant forms of Cyrus appear in ancient inscriptions?
Ancient inscriptions show variant forms including Elamite Kuraš, Babylonian Ku(r)-raš or Ku-ra-áš, and Imperial Aramaic kwrš. The older Old Persian form is written as 𐎤𐎢𐎽𐎢𐏁 (Kūruš), while the modern Persian variant is Kūroš. In Greek, the name appeared as Κῦρος (Kȳros), which was borrowed into Latin as Cȳrus before entering the English language.
How many boys in the United States have received the name Cyrus in total?
A total of 29,208 American boys have received the name Cyrus since 1880. It is most often given to boys, rising from 80 babies in 1950 and 160 babies in 1980 to 1,284 babies in 2025.
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