Boy name
Boris name meaning
“Wolf”
Boris means wolf in the interpretation connecting it with Turkic böri. Established in Bulgarian and Slavic naming traditions, it is also used as a masculine name in Türkiye. The historical ruler Boris Godunov gives the name a concrete cultural association through both Russian history and works of literature and opera.
- Gender
- ♂ Boy
- Origin
- European languages
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity
- #1,606
What does Boris mean?
Wolf
In Turkish: Kurt
Boris is a masculine name with a substantial cultural history in medieval Bulgaria and Slavic literature. The wolf interpretation places it alongside older names built around animal imagery. That image nevertheless reflects one major proposed explanation rather than a single, conclusively established origin for the name.
Origin of the name Boris
Boris is a historical name established in Bulgarian and Slavic naming traditions. One explanation connects it with Turkic böri, ‘wolf’; a connection with Slavic names built on a root meaning ‘fight’ has also been proposed, and its ultimate origin remains unsettled.
| Linguistic origin | European languages, Old Turkic |
|---|---|
| Is Boris in the Quran? | No |
| Starts with | B · Bo |
How to pronounce Boris
| Syllables | 2 · 5 letters · 5-letter boy names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /boɾis/ |
Is Boris a boy’s name?
Yes, Boris is used mostly as a boy’s name. See all boy names.
Boris does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 2 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Spellings and similar names
Names that sound like Boris
Names with related meanings
Famous people named Boris
- Boris Çüdük
- Boris Burcin · b. 1963
FAQ about the name Boris
What is the meaning of Boris?
Boris means “Wolf”. Boris is a historical name established in Bulgarian and Slavic naming traditions. One explanation connects it with Turkic böri, ‘wolf’; a connection with Slavic names built on a root meaning ‘fight’ has also been proposed, and its ultimate origin remains unsettled.
Is Boris a boy’s name?
Yes, Boris is used mostly as a boy’s name.
Is Boris in the Quran?
No. Neither the name Boris nor its source word occurs in the Quran.
What is the origin of the name Boris?
Boris is of European languages and Old Turkic origin.
How many syllables does Boris have?
Boris has 2 syllables and 5 letters.
How popular is the name Boris?
Boris does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 2 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Famous people named Boris?
Notable people named Boris include Boris Çüdük, Boris Burcin.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm11146 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake