Boris
/B-OW-R-IH-S/
Glory in struggle, the fighter — Boris (Russian Борис, from a Slavic root meaning 'to fight') is a warrior-name carried across Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian lands. It was borne by Boris of Bulgaria, the ruler who brought Christianity to his nation and is honoured as a saint for that conversion.
See Boris scored for your familyQuick — what every parent wants to know about Boris:
Yes — Boris is a Christian boy name of Russian origin, meaning “Glory in struggle, the fighter — Boris (Russian Борис, from a Slavic root meaning 'to fight') is a warrior-name carried across Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian lands. It was borne by Boris of Bulgaria, the ruler who brought Christianity to his nation and is honoured as a saint for that conversion.”.
How well does Boris fit your family?
This page tells you what Boris means. The app tells you whether it's right for your baby — scored against the names already in your family, your heritage, and your baby's exact birth star.
Unlock Boris's score — free
Six signals — scored for your family, not in the abstract:
Meaning & origin
Boris is a boy's name of Russian origin, traditionally used in Christian families. The name means "Glory in struggle, the fighter — Boris (Russian Борис, from a Slavic root meaning 'to fight') is a warrior-name carried across Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian lands. It was borne by Boris of Bulgaria, the ruler who brought Christianity to his nation and is honoured as a saint for that conversion." and belongs to the Light cluster — names meaning radiance, illumination, and hope.
Common among Russian, Bulgarian, European families, Boris carries cultural weight that goes beyond its dictionary definition — it's a name with a story and a community.
What would a baby named Boris look like?
NameRoot imagines a one-of-a-kind AI baby portrait for every name, shaped by its heritage — the features, the colouring, the feeling a name like Boris carries. No two are alike.
See Boris's portrait — and its full score — the moment you open the app.
See Boris's baby portrait →What does Boris's numerology say?
Numerology assigns each name a single-digit destiny number by summing its letter values. Different schools use different mappings — NameRoot computes both so you can see how Boris resonates in either tradition.
Boris's destiny number is 9 — but a number only matters in context. The app matches it to your family's own numbers for a real compatibility read. See Boris's full reading →
Does Boris go with your family's names?
Boris breaks into 5 sounds: /B-OW-R-IH-S/. The real test isn't how it sounds alone — it's how it sounds beside the names already in your family: yours, your partner's, and any brothers or sisters. NameRoot scores that harmony, so Boris sits naturally next to a Mum and Dad like Michael & Anna, or a big sister named Gianna — no awkward clashes, no two names that blur together. Hear Boris beside your family's names →
Nicknames
Common affectionate forms of Boris — useful for everyday family conversation, early childhood, or as standalone given names themselves.
Names similar to Boris
If Boris resonates with you, these names live in the same world — drawn from the same tradition, sharing the same meaning, or echoing a similar sound.
From the same tradition
Other Christian boy names, common in Russian families
Sharing the same meaning
Other Christian boy names from the Light cluster
Names that sound similar
Christian boy names that open with the same syllables as Boris
Explore more names
Keep exploring names like Boris — by tradition, by meaning, or by first letter.
Common questions about Boris
What does the name Boris mean?
Boris means "Glory in struggle, the fighter — Boris (Russian Борис, from a Slavic root meaning 'to fight') is a warrior-name carried across Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian lands. It was borne by Boris of Bulgaria, the ruler who brought Christianity to his nation and is honoured as a saint for that conversion.." It is a boy name of Russian origin, traditionally used in Christian families.
Is Boris a boy or girl name?
Boris is most commonly used as a boy name.
What is the origin of the name Boris?
Boris is of Russian origin, used in Christian tradition, commonly among Russian, Bulgarian, European families.
Is Boris a Christian name?
Yes. Boris is a boy name traditionally used in Christian families, of Russian origin.
What does Boris mean in Russian?
Boris originates from Russian, where it means "Glory in struggle, the fighter — Boris (Russian Борис, from a Slavic root meaning 'to fight') is a warrior-name carried across Russian, Bulgarian and Serbian lands. It was borne by Boris of Bulgaria, the ruler who brought Christianity to his nation and is honoured as a saint for that conversion.."
What are common nicknames for Boris?
Common short forms of Boris include Borya.
What is the numerology of Boris?
Boris has a Pythagorean destiny number of 9 — compassion and humanitarian service.
See how Boris scores for your family
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