The name Boris is of Slavic origin and means battle or fight . Boris is a popular name in many Eastern European countries, including Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The name Boris has been used by several notable historical figures, including Boris Godunov, a Russian tsar who ruled from 1598 to 1605, and Boris Yeltsin, the first president of Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. Boris is also a common name in Bulgaria, where it is often associated with the Bulgarian word for bear . In the United States, the name Boris has been steadily rising in popularity since the 1970s and is currently ranked as the 226th most popular boy name. Boris has also been used as a surname, with notable examples including the British author and politician Boris Johnson, who served as the Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016, and the American actor Boris Karloff, who was best known for his roles in horror films. The name Boris has been associated with several fictional characters, including the bumbling spy Boris Badinov in the animated series Rocky and Bullwinkle and the villainous Boris Grishenko in the James Bond film GoldenEye . In addition to its use as a given name and surname, Boris has also been used as a nickname for other names starting with B , such as Borislav or Bogdan . The name Boris has been used by several sports stars, including the Russian ice hockey player Boris Mikhailov and the Bulgarian football player Borislav Mihaylov. Boris has also been used as a name for pets, particularly dogs, and is often associated with a strong and loyal companion.

The root form of Boris is Boris — meaning Battle, Fight.

Boris remains a beloved choice, ranking #45 in the US. Timeless appeal across cultures and generations.