Girl · 40th of 27,321
Kristen
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
220,847
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1982
Peak Popularity Year
9,595
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Kristen 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
The name Kristen has its origins in Latin and Old Norse, meaning 'Christian follower.' It evolved from the Latin 'Christianus' and Greek 'Christos' through various historical forms, including Kirsten. The name has no specific biblical background but gained popularity in the late 20th century. Today, it is viewed as modern and creative, with notable figures like Kristen Stewart and Kristen Wiig contributing to its popularity.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈkrɪstən/
Origin
Latin and Old Norse
Etymology
The name Kristen is derived from the Latin word 'Christianus,' meaning 'follower of Christ,' which comes from the Greek 'Christos,' meaning 'the anointed one.' The name also has roots in Old Norse, where it was used as a feminine form of Christian.
Meaning
Christian follower
Language Evolution
Christianus (Latin), Christos (Greek), Kirsten (Old Norse), Kristen (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Kristen became popular in English-speaking countries in the late 20th century, often associated with the Christian faith and used as a feminine name.
Variants & Derivatives
Kristin, Kirsten, Kristina, Kris
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Kristen is perceived as a modern and versatile name, often associated with creativity and individuality.
Famous People
Kristen Stewart (actress), Kristen Wiig (comedian and actress), Kristen Bell (actress), Kristen Chenoweth (singer and actress)
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:
Gradually Declining
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 9,595 peak births in 1982
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 48 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Chirstine
Chistine
Chrisitne
Christain
Christeen
Christene
Christin
Christine
Christne
Christyn
Christyne
Chrsitine
Chrstine
Chrysteen
Chrystene
Chrystin
Chrystine
Cristain
Cristeen
Cristene
Cristin
Cristine
Cristyn
Crystin
Crystine
Khristin
Khristine
Khrystin
Khrystine
Khrystyn
Khrystyne
Kristain
Kristeen
Kristene
Kristien
Kristin
Kristine
Kristlynn
Kristn
Kristyn
Kristyne
Kristynn
Krystin
Krystine
Krystn
Krystoffer
Krystyn
Krystyne
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 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2458th of 7552 | 209 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1171st of 10718 | 805 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1558th of 16616 | 807 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5282nd of 24088 | 242 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 8004th of 23106 | 112 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2559th of 9204 | 217 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 459th of 12526 | 7,576 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 85th of 19264 | 65,379 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 40th of 27321 | 118,706 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 215th of 35406 | 24,204 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1149th of 30306 | 2,590 |