Cyrus — Meaning, Origin & Everything to Know

Cyrus means 'sun; lord' — a Persian name from Persian.

Drawn from Persian, Cyrus means 'sun; lord' and has a character all its own. Because it rests on Persian rather than passing fashion, Cyrus carries a sense of history that many parents look for. As a son's name, Cyrus suggests hope, clarity and guidance and travels comfortably across languages.

Quick facts about the name Cyrus
NameCyrus
MeaningAt its core, Cyrus carries the meaning 'sun; lord', rooted in Persian
OriginPersian
LanguagePersian
GenderBoy
Numerology number5
PronunciationCY-rus
Popularity tierTier 3

What Does the Name Cyrus Mean?

At its core, Cyrus carries the meaning 'sun; lord', rooted in Persian.

The early history of Cyrus belongs to the Persian world, where 'sun; lord' was a quality worth naming a child for. Across generations the meaning 'sun; lord' held firm while Cyrus passed through families, migration and changing fashion.

Modern parents tend to hear Cyrus as fresh rather than old-fashioned, with 'sun; lord' giving it a positive, aspirational edge. It is exactly this balance that lifted Cyrus into wider use in the 2020s.

Symbolically, Cyrus leans toward hope, clarity and guidance, with its Persian roots adding heritage to that idea.

Origin & Etymology of Cyrus

Persian · Persian

Cyrus comes from Persian, where it means 'sun; lord'. Cyrus spread outward with migration, recognised now well beyond its Persian origin and worn across very different cultures.

Within Persian culture, Cyrus connects to enduring values through its idea of hope, clarity and guidance.

How Persian names are chosen

Iranian naming draws on three separate wells: pre-Islamic Persian and Zoroastrian names such as Kourosh and Anahita; Arabic and Islamic names arriving with the conquest; and a modern Persian layer of plain nouns — Setareh, 'star', Laleh, 'tulip', Omid, 'hope'. A striking share, put at ten to fifteen per cent of all Persian names, comes from a single book: Ferdowsi's tenth-century Shahnameh, the source of Dariush, Bijan, Faramarz, Esfandiar and many more. Which well a family draws from has not always been a neutral choice. Shahnameh names rose sharply after the 1979 revolution, chosen over Arabic alternatives as a deliberate assertion of Persian identity.

How to Pronounce Cyrus

CY-rusCyrus is usually said in 2 parts — CY · rus. A Persian name: vowels are pronounced fully, with a gentle stress toward the end.

Popularity of the Name Cyrus

Cyrus has been climbing in recent years, with its momentum centred on the 2020s.

Personality Traits Associated with Cyrus

Ask around and Cyrus is usually described as bright and uplifting. Some of that comes from the meaning 'sun; lord', and some from the simple shape of the sound. Where names are tied to character, Cyrus is read as a name of hope, clarity and guidance. None of this overrides the individual, of course — but if a name's signal matters to you, Cyrus reads warm rather than harsh, which is part of why it resonates.

Cyrus Numerology

The name Cyrus carries the numerology number 5.

Run Cyrus through Pythagorean numerology and it settles on 5 — the Free Spirit — adventure and change. Set beside the meaning 'sun; lord', the 5 adds another layer for parents who weigh numerology when naming.

See the full meaning of number 5 on NumberAngel →

Cyrus & Zodiac Connection

The clear-hearted, hopeful feel of Cyrus chimes with radiant Leo and clear-minded Aquarius, whose traits echo the name's character.

Curious what your baby's zodiac sign reveals? Explore GetMyHoro →

Nicknames for Cyrus

Cy

Names Similar to Cyrus

Sibling Names That Go With Cyrus

Try the Sibling Name Generator →

Middle Names for Cyrus

Cyrus Alexander · Cyrus Hugh · Cyrus James · Cyrus Daniel · Cyrus Joseph · Cyrus Reed

Find more with the Middle Name Generator →

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Frequently Asked Questions

+What does the name Cyrus mean?

Cyrus means 'sun; lord'. It comes from Persian and is linked with hope, clarity and guidance, which makes it a meaningful choice for a son.

+What is the origin of Cyrus?

Cyrus is Persian in origin, from Persian.

+What is the numerology number for Cyrus?

In Pythagorean numerology Cyrus reduces to 5 — the Free Spirit — adventure and change.

+Is Cyrus a popular name?

Cyrus has been rising in popularity, with its strongest momentum in the 2020s.

+Is Cyrus suitable for any gender?

Cyrus is most often used as a boy's name, though naming is personal and the meaning 'sun; lord' suits any child.

+What are good nicknames for Cyrus?

Common nicknames for Cyrus include Cy; families also invent their own at home.

+What names pair well with Cyrus for a sibling?

Names such as Elias, Felix, Miles sit well beside Cyrus, sharing a complementary style.