Boris Boy

Popularity: #901 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BOR-iss //ˈbɔːrɪs//

Origin: Slavic; Greek

Meaning: Slavic: 'wolf'; Greek: 'of the city'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Boris has its roots in the Slavic languages, deriving from the Old Slavic name "Borislav," which is composed of the elements "bor" meaning "battle" or "fight" and "slav" meaning "glory" or "fame." The name has undergone various transformations through linguistic evolution, entering the Russian language as "Boris" and subsequently being adopted into other Slavic languages. The earliest recorded use of the name can be traced back to the medieval period, particularly in the context of the Kievan Rus', where it was borne by several notable figures.

One of the most significant historical milestones associated with the name Boris is the life of Saint Boris, a Christian martyr and prince of Bulgaria, who was killed in the early 10th century. His veneration in the Eastern Orthodox Church contributed to the name's prominence in Slavic regions.

Additionally, Boris Godunov, who ruled as Tsar of Russia from 1598 to 1605, is another key figure linked to the name. His reign marked a tumultuous period in Russian history, and he is often remembered in literature and opera, notably in Modest Mussorgsky's opera "Boris Godunov," composed in the 19th century.

Culturally, the name Boris has been associated with strength and leadership, resonating with the themes of valor and glory inherent in its etymological roots. The name has also been linked to various historical and literary figures, reinforcing its significance in Slavic culture.

Diminutive forms such as "Borya" have emerged, reflecting the affectionate and familiar usage of the name in various contexts. Overall, Boris embodies a rich tapestry of historical and cultural significance, firmly rooted in the Slavic linguistic tradition.

Famous people named Boris

In this section, you will find notable people named Boris. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Boris who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Boris who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Boris Becker is a former professional tennis player best known for winning six Grand Slam singles titles.

Boris Karloff is an actor best known for his role as Frankenstein's monster in Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and The Mummy.

Boris Diaw is a former professional basketball player best known for playing with the San Antonio Spurs and winning an NBA championship.

Boris Yeltsin is a historical figure best known for being the first President of Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Fictional characters named Boris

The following list of fictional characters named Boris is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Boris Badenov is a fictional character from the animated television series The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. He is a bumbling Russian spy who often attempts to thwart the protagonists' plans alongside his partner Natasha Fatale.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Boris, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

AlexeiDmitriNikolaiSergeiMikhailVladimir

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Boris. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

BalthazarBranBenedictBartholomewBrunoBlaiseBastianBeckett

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Boris was first seen in the United States in 1911.

Boris has ranked as high as #2133 nationally, which occurred in 1970, and has been most popular in New York, California, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania.

In the past 5 years the name Boris has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Boris is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Boris was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Boris.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 37 37
2024 35 35
2023 32 32
2022 34 34
2021 42 42
2020 50 50
2019 48 48
2018 52 52
2017 51 51
2016 47 47
2015 49 49
2014 54 54
2013 64 64
2012 47 47
2011 48 48
2010 47 47
2009 46 46
2008 73 73
2007 49 49
2006 65 65
2005 61 61
2004 65 65
2003 52 52
2002 59 59
2001 55 55
2000 56 56
1999 52 52
1998 62 62
1997 53 53
1996 50 50
1995 72 72
1994 65 65
1993 59 59
1992 65 65
1991 71 71
1990 54 54
1989 47 47
1988 36 36
1987 54 54
1986 36 36
1985 40 40
1984 38 38
1983 45 45
1982 36 36
1981 38 38
1980 31 31
1979 34 34
1978 35 35
1977 30 30
1976 43 43
1975 40 40
1974 54 54
1973 51 51
1972 54 54
1971 58 58
1970 82 82
1969 66 66
1968 59 59
1967 56 56
1966 61 61
1965 54 54
1964 63 63
1963 62 62
1962 76 76
1961 63 63
1960 37 37
1959 46 46
1958 43 43
1957 34 34
1956 38 38
1955 32 32
1954 20 20
1953 20 20
1952 26 26
1951 19 19
1950 9 9
1949 14 14
1948 9 9
1947 16 16
1946 12 12
1945 9 9
1944 7 7
1943 9 9
1942 10 10
1941 14 14
1940 11 11
1939 15 15
1938 12 12
1937 21 21
1936 15 15
1935 21 21
1934 28 28
1933 23 23
1932 34 34
1931 35 35
1930 33 33
1929 35 35
1928 29 29
1927 34 34
1926 33 33
1925 41 41
1924 37 37
1923 50 50
1922 40 40
1921 45 45
1920 29 29
1919 24 24
1918 44 44
1917 36 36
1916 35 35
1915 27 27
1914 19 19
1913 10 10
1912 13 13
1911 5 5

Top States for Boris (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%