Challis is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Alva Challis (1930–2010), Welsh-born New Zealand geologist
Christopher Challis (1919–2012), British cinematographer
Ellie Challis (born 2004), British Paralympic swimmer
George Challis (rugby league) (1889–1965), Australian rugby player
Gordon Challis (1932–2018), New Zealand poet
James Challis (1803–1882), British clergyman and astronomer
John Challis (1942–2021), English actor
John Henry Challis, Anglo-Australian merchant and philanthropist
Louis Challis (1936–2017), Australian acoustical engineer
Vivien Challis, Australian mathematician