According to the U.S. baby name data, the Iris-like name Eris saw its highest-ever usage in 1923:
- 1925: 53 baby girls named Eris
- 1924: 103 baby girls named Eris [rank: 728th]
- 1923: 226 baby girls named Eris [rank: 457th]
- 1922: 16 baby girls named Eris
- 1921: 15 baby girls named Eris
It was the fastest-rising girl name of the year, in fact, and it managed to reach the girls’ top 1,000 twice.
What caused this sudden interest in the name?
A story called Eris by Robert W. Chambers. It was published as a book in 1922, but, more importantly, it was serialized in McCall’s magazine in 1923 (from February to August).
The main character was a young woman named Eris Odell, who, after growing up on a farm, ran away to New York City to try her luck in motion pictures.
Just like the story of Athalie, which was also written by Chambers, the story of Eris started with the character’s birth (in the year 1900) and an explanation of her name:
His wife said to the doctor, in her painfully distinct voice: “I want she should have a name that no other baby’s got, because — that’s all I can giver her… Something no other baby’s got… Write it, Doctor.”
Dr. Ward wrote “Eris” on the birth certificate. His expression became slightly ironical.
“Eris,” he repeated. “Do you approve this name?”
Odell shrugged assent.
“Yes,” said the woman. “She’s mine. All I can give her is this name. I give it.”
“Eris was the name of a Greek Goddess,” remarked the doctor. He did not explain that Eris was the Goddess of Discord. “I’m very sure,” he added, “that no other baby is named Eris, though plenty of ’em ought to be… “
“Eris” — described as a “lovely, ominous name” about halfway through in the book — was indeed the name of the Greek goddess of strife and discord. The Roman name for this goddess was Discordia.
Fun fact: Eris was the goddess whose golden apple — inscribed: “to the fairest” — sparked the rivalry between Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena (Juno, Venus, and Minerva) that precipitated the Trojan War.
What are your thoughts on the baby name Eris?
Sources:
- Chambers, Robert W. Eris. New York: George H. Doran Company, 1922.
- Chambers, Robert W. “Eris.” McCall’s Magazine Feb. 2013.
- ERIS – Greek Goddess of Strife & Discord
- The FictionMags Index
- SSA
