Criss

Meaning & origin

Criss is a variant spelling of Chris, typically a short form of Christopher. In the United States, the name first appeared in records in 1918, but it has never achieved widespread popularity. Its peak year was 2007, yet even then it remained a rare choice. As of 2025, the name ranks 12,008 on the Social Security list, with an estimated 1 in 341,615 newborns receiving it. The trajectory of its use has been stable over recent decades, indicating a consistent if uncommon presence. The form Criss likely emerged as a phonetic respelling, mirroring the common pronunciation "kris." While the name has not been especially popular in any particular state or region, its appeal lies in its simplicity and straightforward sound, a compact alternative to the longer Christopher or Curtis.

Criss is a spelling variant of Chris, itself a diminutive of Christopher. The name Christopher derives from the Greek Χριστόφορος (Christophoros), meaning "bearing Christ." It became widely used in the Christian world due to the legendary Saint Christopher, a third-century martyr. The variant Criss appears as a simplified, phonetic spelling that gained some usage in the United States.