UK boy's name
Syrus
Of Phoenician origin meaning "supreme sun".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Syrus is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Syrus popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3254, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 8 births.
This profile covers 106 England and Wales registrations across 20 recorded years from 1997 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 105 living people in the UK are called Syrus. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Syrus ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 8 boys were registered as Syrus.
- • About 105 living people in the UK are estimated to have Syrus as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3254
2024
Births in 2024
6
Latest year
Peak year
2011
8 births
Estimated living
105
2026
Meaning
What does Syrus mean?
The name Syrus originated from the ancient Greco-Roman world, deriving from the Greek word "Syrios," which means "Syrian." This suggests that the name likely first emerged in Syria or the surrounding regions during the classical era. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the first few centuries AD.
One of the most notable historical figures bearing the name Syrus was Publilius Syrus, a Latin writer and philosopher who lived in the 1st century BC. He was a former Syrian slave who gained fame for his collection of moral sayings and maxims known as the "Sententiae."
Another prominent individual named Syrus was Saint Ephrem of Syria, a renowned theologian, poet, and hymnographer of the 4th century AD. Born in Nisibis (modern-day Turkey), he played a significant role in the development of the Syriac literary tradition and is revered as a saint in various Christian denominations.
In the realm of early Christianity, Syrus was also the name of a 3rd-century bishop of Pavia, in present-day Italy. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and is known for his efforts in spreading Christianity in the region.
Moving forward in history, Syrus the Patrician was a high-ranking Byzantine official and diplomat who lived in the 6th century AD. He served as a consul and played a crucial role in negotiating treaties with various barbarian tribes, helping to maintain the stability of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Another notable figure was Syrus of Genoa, a 12th-century Italian painter and miniaturist renowned for his work in illuminated manuscripts. His contributions to the art of manuscript illumination during the Romanesque period were significant, and his works can be found in various European libraries and museums.
These are just a few examples of historical figures who bore the name Syrus. While the name may not be as common today, it holds a rich legacy spanning various cultures, religions, and periods throughout history, reflecting its ancient Syrian origins and the influential individuals who carried this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Syrus over time
The chart below shows babies named Syrus registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Syrus, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Syrus by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Syrus was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3244 | 23 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3436 | 42 | 8 |
| 2000s | #2753 | 33 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2483 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Syrus
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Syrus: questions and answers
How popular is the name Syrus in the UK right now?
In 2024, Syrus was ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Syrus most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 8 babies registered as Syrus in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Syrus?
Of Phoenician origin meaning "supreme sun".
How many people are called Syrus in the UK?
A total of 106 babies have been registered as Syrus across the 20 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.