What Does the Name Idris Mean?
Idris is a boy's name of Arabic and, separately, Welsh origin meaning “(Arabic) studious, one who learns/instructs; (Welsh) ardent lord.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Idris |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Arabic and, separately, Welsh |
| Meaning | (Arabic) studious, one who learns/instructs; (Welsh) ardent lord |
| Variants | Idriss, Idriis, Idrees, Idrys |
| Popularity | Common in the Muslim world and in Wales; a rising crossover name in the English-speaking world. |
The meaning and origin of Idris
The name Idris means “(Arabic) studious, one who learns/instructs; (Welsh) ardent lord” and has Arabic and, separately, Welsh origins. Two unrelated names sharing a spelling: the Arabic Idris, name of a Quranic prophet, linked to darasa ('to study'); and the Welsh Idris (udd 'lord' + ris 'ardent'), borne by the legendary giant of Cadair Idris. Popularized by actor Idris Elba.
Variants and related names
Idris is related to several other names you may recognize: Idriss, Idriis, Idrees, Idrys. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Idris?
Common in the Muslim world and in Wales; a rising crossover name in the English-speaking world.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Idris mean?+
The name Idris means “(Arabic) studious, one who learns/instructs; (Welsh) ardent lord” and is of Arabic and, separately, Welsh origin.
What is the origin of the name Idris?+
Idris originates from Arabic and, separately, Welsh.
Is Idris a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Idris has trended in the US over time.
Idris by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press