Boy · 96th of 10,718
Chris
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
169,995
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1961
Peak Popularity Year
8,772
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Chris stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Chris originates from the Greek 'Christophoros', meaning 'bearing Christ'. Its language path includes forms like Christophoros and Christopher, evolving into the modern short form Chris. The name is often viewed positively, associated with warmth and approachability. There is no significant biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 20th century and has notable variants like Christopher and Kris.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/krɪs/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
Chris is derived from the Greek name 'Christophoros', which means 'bearing Christ'. It is often used as a short form of Christopher or Christian.
Meaning
bearing Christ
Language Evolution
Christophoros, Christianus, Christopher, Chris
Historical Usage
The name Chris gained popularity in the 20th century as a common short form of Christopher and Christian, especially in English-speaking countries.
Variants & Derivatives
Christopher, Christian, Kris
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Chris is a widely used and versatile name, often associated with friendliness and approachability.
Famous People
Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Rock
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,772 peak births in 1961
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Mexico
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 11 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 454th of 7545 | 2,729 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 349th of 6773 | 4,782 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 108th of 7552 | 62,978 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 96th of 10718 | 49,737 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 383rd of 16616 | 8,911 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 391st of 24088 | 11,373 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 600th of 23106 | 5,585 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3632nd of 9107 | 113 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1189th of 9204 | 722 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 319th of 12526 | 14,862 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 502nd of 19264 | 6,277 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2620th of 27321 | 688 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 8410th of 35406 | 205 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 11855th of 30306 | 89 |