Memphis
Meaning of Memphis
Memphis—pronounced MEM-fis, suave as a trumpeter’s riff—is a unisex wanderer that drifts from the sun-dazzled temples of ancient Egypt to the neon glow of Beale Street, carrying a meaning as enduring and beautiful as its original form, Men-nefer. In its linen-wrapped birth beside the Nile, the name spoke of strength that would outlast stone; in its second life beside the Mississippi, it learned to swing, to croon, to fry catfish at sunset, and, like an easygoing troubadour, invite every child—girl or boy—onto the dance floor of possibility. American parents have felt that rhythm more and more each year, lifting Memphis from a whispered rarity in the 1990s to a confident mid-chart performer today, proof that a little bluesy swagger can cozy up to any cradle. Wrapped in ancient starlight yet skipping to modern beats, Memphis is a passport stamped with hieroglyphs and guitar picks, offering any newborn the promise of a life both timeless and vibrantly alive.
Pronunciation
American English
- Pronunced as MEM-fis (/ˈmɛmfɪs/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Memphis
| Memphis Depay is a Dutch forward for Corinthians and the Netherlands, the national team’s all-time top scorer with 52 goals, and a musical artist with over 113 million streams and views on Spotify and YouTube. |
| Memphis Minnie, born Lizzie Douglas, was a pioneering blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose career spanned over three decades and produced about 200 songs, including When the Levee Breaks and Me and My Chauffeur Blues. |
| Memphis Slim, born John Len Chatman, was an American blues pianist, singer, and composer who led jump blues bands and recorded more than 500 tracks, including the classic Every Day I Have the Blues. |
