Holding steady, #3,181 for boys today.
Popularity of Kris since 1937
Babies named Kris per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1962, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kris's real moment was 1974.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 0 | 11 |
| 1940s | 503 | 422 |
| 1950s | 2,891 | 2,634 |
| 1960s | 7,158 | 4,152 |
| 1970s | 2,009 | 3,681 |
| 1980s | 462 | 1,184 |
| 1990s | 216 | 667 |
| 2000s | 120 | 748 |
| 2010s | 159 | 646 |
| 2020s | 53 | 255 |
Meaning & origin
Kris is a compact, crisp name that emerged as an independent given name in the mid-20th century. First recorded in 1937, it saw its peak popularity in 1974. By 2025, it ranked 3,181st for boys, with a 1 in 46,164 chance of being named Kris. The name has been most common in New York, Texas, and California. As a short form of Kristian or Kristoffer, it carries a straightforward meaning tied to Christian tradition, but it has also been used independently and unisexly. Its popularity has remained stable in recent decades, making it a familiar yet not overused choice.
Kris is a diminutive of Kristian (Christian) and Kristoffer (Christopher), ultimately from Greek Christos meaning 'anointed one' or 'follower of Christ'. Used widely across Scandinavia and English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century, it gained popularity as an independent given name, especially in the 1970s.
Where Kris is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kris” around the world
Where Kris lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Chris
Sibling names for Kris
Names that share Kris's style, for a brother or sister.
