Memphis

Updated: October 20, 2023 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Memphis is an ancient name that has captivated the modern age. Although the use of the place name began in antiquity, Memphis is now one of the most popular baby names for boys and has also risen in use among girls. Memphis Campbell was a character in The Diviners by Libba Bray, and Memphis Raines is a main character in the Gone in 60 Seconds franchise. Keep reading to learn more about this baby name.

Meaning of the Name Memphis

Memphis originated from the Ancient Egyptian word mn-nfr (ⲙⲉⲙϥⲓ). The word meant “established,” “enduring,” or “beautiful.” Use of this word arose from the renaming of an older Egyptian city during the New Kingdom. Greek invaders adapted the word as Μέμφις, and English speakers transcribed it as Memphis.

Memphis was the New Kingdom name of one of the oldest cities in Ancient Egypt. Prior to Greek invasion, Memphis was an important center of production and commerce for nearly four millennia. In honor of this productivity, early American settlers named Memphis, Tennessee after the Egyptian location. Memphis lived up to the name and became known as the hardwood capital of the world. The symbol of the modern-day Memphis is the oak leaf.

Sweet baby boy in bear overall, sleeping in bed with teddy bear stuffed toys, winter landscape behind him — ©Tomsickova Tatyana/Shutterstock.com

Nicknames for Memphis

The name Memphis evokes feelings of magnificence and majesty and comes from the heart of Tennessee. If you're looking for a nickname for the Memphis in your life, we've created a fun list of possible options. However, feel free to come up with a nickname that's unique to their personality.

Mem
Mems
Memmie
Memmy
Fitz
Fiss

Memphis Name Details

Style: Classic

Gender: Neutral

Pronunciation: MEHM-fis

Syllables: Two

Alternative Spelling for Memphis

Memphys
Maemphis
Mempfis
Mempiis

Memphis Name Popularity

According to the Social Security Administration index, Memphis was the 456th most popular baby name for boys in 2020. Memphis was also the 1,300th most popular baby name for girls in 2020.