Criss Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KRIS //krɪs//
Origin: Latin; English
Meaning: Latin: bearer of Christ; English: variant of Chris
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Criss is a variant of the name Chris, which is derived from the Greek name Christos, meaning "anointed one" or "messiah." The Greek Christos itself comes from the Hebrew word Mashiach, which also translates to "anointed one." This term was used in the context of the Hebrew Bible to refer to kings and priests who were anointed with oil as a sign of their divine appointment. The name began to gain prominence in the early Christian era, as it became associated with Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the Messiah in Christian theology.
The transition of the name into English occurred through the Latin form Christus, which was used in early Christian texts and eventually made its way into Old French before being adopted into Middle English. Throughout history, the name Chris and its variants have been borne by numerous saints and notable figures.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name in a Christian context is Saint Christopher, a legendary figure from the 3rd century who is often depicted as a giant who carried travelers across a river. His feast day is celebrated on July 25, and he is recognized as the patron saint of travelers.
The name Chris became more widely used in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages, particularly after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which facilitated the integration of many Latin and Greek names into English culture. Culturally, the name Criss and its variants have been associated with themes of protection and guidance, largely due to the legacy of Saint Christopher.
The name has also been embraced in various forms of art and literature, often symbolizing faith and devotion. The diminutive form Chris has become a common shorthand for the name, reflecting a trend in many cultures to create more informal versions of traditional names.
Overall, the name Criss carries with it a rich historical and cultural significance, rooted in ancient traditions and religious beliefs.
Famous people named Criss
In this section, you will find notable people named Criss. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Criss who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Criss who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Criss Angel is a magician and illusionist best known for Mindfreak, Criss Angel BeLIEve, and Criss Angel: The Magic of Believe.
Criss Olka is a musician best known for his work with the band The Criss Band.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Criss, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Criss. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Criss was first seen in the United States in 1918.
Criss has ranked as high as #6682 nationally, which occurred in 2007, and has been most popular in California, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Criss has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Criss is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Criss was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Criss.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2023 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2021 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2019 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2018 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2017 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2016 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2015 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 2014 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2013 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2012 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2011 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2010 | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| 2009 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 2008 | 29 | 29 | 0 |
| 2007 | 40 | 40 | 0 |
| 2006 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 2005 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1992 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1989 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1984 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1980 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1978 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1976 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1975 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1973 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1971 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1970 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1969 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1968 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
| 1966 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| 1965 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1964 | 27 | 17 | 10 |
| 1963 | 26 | 12 | 14 |
| 1962 | 21 | 15 | 6 |
| 1961 | 24 | 17 | 7 |
| 1960 | 23 | 17 | 6 |
| 1959 | 25 | 18 | 7 |
| 1958 | 22 | 12 | 10 |
| 1957 | 19 | 13 | 6 |
| 1956 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1955 | 13 | 7 | 6 |
| 1954 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1953 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1952 | 14 | 6 | 8 |
| 1951 | 13 | 7 | 6 |
| 1950 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1949 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1948 | 15 | 6 | 9 |
| 1947 | 13 | 6 | 7 |
| 1946 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1939 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1926 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1924 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1919 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1918 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
Top States for Criss (2010)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 8 | |
| TX | 6 |