Kris Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KRIS /krɪs/
Origin: Greek; Scandinavian; English
Meaning: Greek: bearer of Christ; Scandinavian: short form of Kristina; English: variant of Chris
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kris is a diminutive form derived from the name Christina, which has its roots in the Greek word 'Christianos,' meaning 'follower of Christ.' The name Christina itself can be traced back to the Latin 'Christianus,' which was used to denote a Christian. The transition into English occurred through various adaptations of the name across different languages, particularly during the early medieval period when Christianity spread throughout Europe.
The use of Kris as a standalone name emerged in the 20th century, reflecting a trend towards more informal and gender-neutral naming practices. Historically, the name Christina has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Christina of Bolsena, a Christian martyr from the 3rd century, who is venerated in various Christian traditions.
The name gained further prominence through its association with various queens and noblewomen in medieval Europe, particularly in Scandinavia, where it has been a popular name for royal daughters. The name's connection to Christianity has also ensured its presence in religious texts and literature, contributing to its endurance over the centuries.
Culturally, Kris embodies a sense of modernity and simplicity, often associated with a friendly and approachable demeanor. The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, with variations such as Krista or Kristine appearing in different linguistic contexts.
The diminutive Kris, while often used informally, carries with it the historical weight of its origins, linking it to a rich tapestry of Christian heritage and cultural significance. This blend of historical roots and contemporary usage has allowed Kris to maintain a unique place within the broader landscape of names.
Famous people named Kris
In this section, you will find notable people named Kris. 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 Kris who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kris 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.
Kris Allen is a singer-songwriter best known for winning American Idol and his album Kris Allen.
Kris Jenner is a television personality best known for Keeping Up with the Kardashians and her role as a manager for her children.
Kris Kristofferson is a singer-songwriter and actor best known for Me and Bobby McGee, A Star Is Born, and Blade.
Kris Letang is a professional ice hockey player best known for playing with the Pittsburgh Penguins and winning multiple Stanley Cups.
Kris Wu is a singer and actor best known for his work with EXO and his solo music career.
Kris Humphries is a former professional basketball player best known for playing in the NBA and his marriage to Kim Kardashian.
Kris Srikkanth is a former cricketer best known for being a key player in India's 1983 Cricket World Cup victory.
Fictional characters named Kris
The following list of fictional characters named Kris is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Kris is a fictional character from the video game Deltarune. They are the main protagonist who navigates a mysterious world alongside their friends.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kris, 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 Kris. 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 Kris was first seen in the United States in 1940.
Kris has ranked as high as #489 nationally, which occurred in 1965, and has been most popular in California, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Kris has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kris 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 Kris was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kris (2015)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 | |
| TX | 5 |
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 Kris.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2009 | 15 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2002 | 16 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 1999 | 12 |
| 1998 | 13 |
| 1997 | 23 |
| 1996 | 21 |
| 1995 | 22 |
| 1994 | 14 |
| 1993 | 25 |
| 1992 | 26 |
| 1991 | 30 |
| 1990 | 30 |
| 1989 | 28 |
| 1988 | 29 |
| 1987 | 34 |
| 1986 | 24 |
| 1985 | 37 |
| 1984 | 35 |
| 1983 | 52 |
| 1982 | 57 |
| 1981 | 70 |
| 1980 | 96 |
| 1979 | 103 |
| 1978 | 131 |
| 1977 | 110 |
| 1976 | 110 |
| 1975 | 141 |
| 1974 | 167 |
| 1973 | 215 |
| 1972 | 273 |
| 1971 | 322 |
| 1970 | 437 |
| 1969 | 529 |
| 1968 | 598 |
| 1967 | 724 |
| 1966 | 870 |
| 1965 | 978 |
| 1964 | 940 |
| 1963 | 734 |
| 1962 | 590 |
| 1961 | 619 |
| 1960 | 576 |
| 1959 | 590 |
| 1958 | 568 |
| 1957 | 419 |
| 1956 | 302 |
| 1955 | 260 |
| 1954 | 187 |
| 1953 | 158 |
| 1952 | 154 |
| 1951 | 149 |
| 1950 | 104 |
| 1949 | 94 |
| 1948 | 116 |
| 1947 | 101 |
| 1946 | 69 |
| 1945 | 45 |
| 1944 | 33 |
| 1943 | 16 |
| 1942 | 13 |
| 1941 | 8 |
| 1940 | 8 |