Girl · 529th of 19,264
Kris
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
27,925
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1965
Peak Popularity Year
1,387
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kris 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
Kris is a name of Greek origin, derived from the name Christopher, meaning 'bearer of Christ.' It evolved through various historical forms and is currently seen as a modern and gender-neutral name. Kris has no direct biblical relevance but is linked to Christian connotations through its etymology. The name has gained popularity since the 20th century and is associated with positive traits such as creativity and approachability.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/krɪs/
Origin
Greek
Etymology
Kris is a short form of the name Christopher, which comes from the Greek name 'Christophoros,' meaning 'bearer of Christ.'
Meaning
Bearer of Christ
Language Evolution
Kristoforos, Christophorus, Christopher, Kris
Historical Usage
Kris gained popularity in the 20th century as a modern, gender-neutral name, often used as a diminutive for Christopher.
Variants & Derivatives
Chris, Krista, Kristen, Kristopher
Modern Popularity & Image
Kris is perceived as a contemporary and friendly name, often associated with creativity and approachability.
Famous People
Kris Jenner, Kris Allen, Kris Bryant, Kris Kristofferson
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 1,387 peak births in 1965
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in Minnesota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 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 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2983rd of 6773 | 119 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 443rd of 7552 | 5,368 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 432nd of 10718 | 5,627 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1070th of 16616 | 1,459 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1853rd of 24088 | 1,103 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2371st of 23106 | 686 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3512th of 9204 | 123 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 488th of 12526 | 6,730 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 529th of 19264 | 5,804 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 3113th of 27321 | 534 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 8280th of 35406 | 210 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 8087th of 30306 | 162 |