Idris Boy

Popularity: #583 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ID-ris //ˈɪdrɪs//

Origin: Arabic; Welsh

Meaning: Arabic: 'interpreter'; Welsh: 'ardent'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Idris has its roots in the Semitic languages, specifically deriving from the Arabic name إدريس (Idrīs). The etymology of Idris is often linked to the Hebrew name Enoch, which means 'dedicated' or 'trained.' This connection is significant as Idris is considered to be the Arabic equivalent of Enoch, a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis.

The name made its way into English through the Latin and Greek translations of the Bible, where Enoch is referred to as a prophet and a figure of righteousness, thus establishing a strong historical and religious significance. Idris is recognized in Islamic tradition as a prophet, and his story is mentioned in the Quran, where he is noted for his wisdom and piety.

The Quranic reference to Idris can be found in the 19th chapter, Surah Maryam, and the 21st chapter, Surah Al-Anbiya, where he is acknowledged as a messenger of God. The historical context of Idris within Islamic culture is further enriched by his association with knowledge and literacy, as he is often credited with the invention of writing and various sciences, which underscores his importance in Islamic scholarship.

Culturally, the name Idris carries connotations of wisdom and enlightenment, resonating deeply within Islamic and Arabic traditions. The enduring nature of the name can be attributed to its strong religious roots and the esteem in which Idris is held as a figure of virtue and intellect.

Additionally, the name has various diminutive forms and variations across cultures, but its core significance remains tied to its origins in Semitic languages and its historical associations with prophetic figures.

Famous people named Idris

In this section, you will find notable people named Idris. 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 Idris who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Idris 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.

Idris Elba is an actor and producer best known for Luther, The Wire, and Pacific Rim.

Idris Muhammad is a musician best known for his work in jazz and funk, particularly with the albums Black Rhythm Revolution and House of the Rising Sun.

Fictional characters named Idris

The following list of fictional characters named Idris 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.

Idris is a fictional character from the comic book series The Sandman. He is a member of the Endless, representing the concept of dreams and storytelling.

Sibling suggestions

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

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Idris. 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.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Idris was first seen in the United States in 1914.

Idris has ranked as high as #1383 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in New York, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

In the past 5 years the name Idris has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Idris 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 Idris 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 Idris.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 397 391 6
2024 348 348 0
2023 326 319 7
2022 329 329 0
2021 279 274 5
2020 277 277 0
2019 263 263 0
2018 221 216 5
2017 191 191 0
2016 179 179 0
2015 138 138 0
2014 152 147 5
2013 139 139 0
2012 140 140 0
2011 114 114 0
2010 101 101 0
2009 106 106 0
2008 74 74 0
2007 68 68 0
2006 52 52 0
2005 51 51 0
2004 39 39 0
2003 49 49 0
2002 35 35 0
2001 40 40 0
2000 29 29 0
1999 29 29 0
1998 44 44 0
1997 47 47 0
1996 46 46 0
1995 38 38 0
1994 33 33 0
1993 37 37 0
1992 28 28 0
1991 25 25 0
1990 18 18 0
1989 20 20 0
1988 25 25 0
1987 20 20 0
1986 22 22 0
1985 27 27 0
1984 38 38 0
1983 25 25 0
1982 34 34 0
1981 44 39 5
1980 33 33 0
1979 49 49 0
1978 39 39 0
1977 44 44 0
1976 27 27 0
1975 18 18 0
1974 22 22 0
1973 29 29 0
1972 33 33 0
1971 21 21 0
1951 7 7 0
1922 6 0 6
1921 7 0 7
1920 7 0 7
1914 5 5 0

Top States for Idris (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 42
15%
NY 37
13%
TX 36
12%
IL 22
8%
NJ 17
6%
MD 15
5%
MI 13
4%
FL 13
4%
OH 11
4%
PA 11
4%
VA 11
4%
AZ 10
3%
GA 10
3%
MN 9
3%
NC 8
3%
MA 7
2%
WA 7
2%
IN 5
2%
CO 5
2%