Innis
Primarily a boy's name of Scottish Gaelic origin with 38 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. boy's names, Innis is not in the current national top 1,000. In fact, it is among the rarest names in the SSA dataset — a choice that signals bold individuality.
With records stretching from 1919 to 2003, Innis has over 84 years of American history behind it — long enough to have been worn by great-grandparents and potentially rediscovered by today’s parents.
Innis is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Innis is a girl's and boy's baby name of Scottish Gaelic origin, from Gaelic innis meaning 'island.' It is a clean, minimalist Gaelic name evoking the rugged beauty of Scottish island landscapes.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Innis is rooted in the Scottish Gaelic tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1919 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Innis’s rarity (38 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Innis has 5+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1919.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 32 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 6 | — |
The Story of Innis
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2001, Innis is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Innis are most likely born between 1991 and 2003.
How rare is Innis?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Innis is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1919, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 32 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(5 years, 1919–2003)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 7 | #9031 |
| 2002 | 6 | #9847 |
| 2001 | 14 | #5232 |
| 2000 | 5 | #11045 |
| 1919 | 6 | #3931 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Innis as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Innis has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 5 births since 1930.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Innis a boy's or girl's name?
When was Innis most popular?
How popular is the name Innis?
Can Innis be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1919–2003