Kris - Name Meaning and Popularity -

Meaning of Kris

Kris is a concise unisex given name derived from the Greek Christos (meaning “anointed”), via Latin Christianus, and traditionally functions as a diminutive of names such as Christopher, Kristopher, Kristina, or Kristine. In both Dutch and Anglo-American English, it is pronounced KRIS, reflecting its straightforward phonetic structure. Over the decades, Kris exhibited a peak in popularity during the early 1960s—reaching a rank of 328 in 1962—before gradually declining through the late 20th century. Although its use has tapered to a rank of 892 in 2024, with 32 newborns bearing the name last year in the United States, its enduring simplicity and cross-gender appeal ensure it remains a quietly resilient choice. While it has never topped nursery charts, its steadiness reads like a persistent footnote in naming trends, offering parents a familiar yet unfussy option.