Kriss Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kris //krɪs//
Origin: English; variant of Christopher
Meaning: Bearer of Christ
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kriss is a modern variant of the name Chris, which itself is a diminutive of Christopher. The etymology of Christopher traces back to the Greek name Χριστόφορος (Christophoros), composed of the elements ‘Christos’ meaning ‘Christ’ and ‘phero’ meaning ‘to bear’ or ‘to carry.’ This name was adopted into Latin as Christophorus and subsequently made its way into Old French as Cristofre before evolving into the English Chris.
The name Christopher gained prominence in the Christian tradition due to the legendary figure Saint Christopher, who is said to have carried the Christ child across a river, symbolizing the act of bearing Christ within oneself. His veneration dates back to at least the 3rd century, and he became a popular saint in medieval Christianity, particularly in the West, where his feast day is celebrated on July 25.
Throughout history, the name Christopher has appeared in various forms across different cultures and languages, including the Latin Christophorus and the Spanish Cristóbal. The name became particularly popular in the English-speaking world during the Middle Ages, partly due to the influence of the cult of Saint Christopher.
The name's significance was further solidified by its inclusion in major religious texts, such as the King James Bible, which helped to disseminate its use among English speakers. Culturally, the name Kriss, as a variant of Chris, carries with it the same connotations of faith and protection associated with its roots in Christopher.
The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, often symbolizing a connection to Christian heritage. The diminutive form Chris has also been widely used, reflecting a more informal and approachable version of the name.
This adaptability and the strong historical and cultural associations have contributed to the name's enduring presence in various contexts.
Famous people named Kriss
In this section, you will find notable people named Kriss. 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 Kriss who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kriss 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.
Kriss Akabusi is a former athlete best known for winning medals in the 400 meters hurdles at the World Championships and the Olympics.
Kriss Kross was a hip-hop duo best known for their hit song 'Jump' and their unique fashion style.
Kriss Angel is a magician and illusionist best known for his television show 'Mindfreak' and live performances in Las Vegas.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kriss, 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 Kriss. 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 Kriss was first seen in the United States in 1948.
Kriss has ranked as high as #2362 nationally, which occurred in 1963, and has been most popular in California.
In the past 5 years the name Kriss has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kriss 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 Kriss 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 Kriss.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2019 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2014 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2013 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2012 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 2009 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2008 | 13 | 8 | 5 |
| 2007 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 2006 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2004 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2003 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 2001 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2000 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1998 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1996 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1994 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1993 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1989 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1985 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1984 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1982 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1980 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1979 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| 1976 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1975 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1974 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| 1973 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1972 | 15 | 7 | 8 |
| 1971 | 18 | 10 | 8 |
| 1970 | 28 | 18 | 10 |
| 1969 | 20 | 5 | 15 |
| 1968 | 32 | 12 | 20 |
| 1967 | 38 | 14 | 24 |
| 1966 | 37 | 16 | 21 |
| 1965 | 44 | 23 | 21 |
| 1964 | 40 | 21 | 19 |
| 1963 | 58 | 31 | 27 |
| 1962 | 47 | 28 | 19 |
| 1961 | 39 | 15 | 24 |
| 1960 | 46 | 29 | 17 |
| 1959 | 39 | 24 | 15 |
| 1958 | 33 | 14 | 19 |
| 1957 | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| 1956 | 29 | 13 | 16 |
| 1955 | 27 | 15 | 12 |
| 1954 | 27 | 17 | 10 |
| 1953 | 20 | 5 | 15 |
| 1952 | 14 | 6 | 8 |
| 1951 | 13 | 5 | 8 |
| 1950 | 18 | 13 | 5 |
| 1949 | 11 | 6 | 5 |
| 1948 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
Top States for Kriss (2006)
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 | 5 |