Kristoff

Meaning & origin

Kristoff is a Scandinavian and German variant of Christopher, a name with deep Christian roots meaning 'bearer of Christ.' The name first appeared on U.S. records in 1977, but it remained rare until a dramatic surge in the 2010s. It reached its peak popularity in 2015, with a rank of 6143 in 2025, though it has been falling since 2015. The 2013 Disney film Frozen introduced the name to a global audience through the character Kristoff, a rugged ice harvester. Despite the pop culture boost, Kristoff remains an uncommon choice, with only 1 in about 122,000 newborns receiving the name in 2025. Its trajectory reflects a steep decline after its peak, but the name retains a strong Nordic identity.

Kristoff is a Scandinavian and German form of Christopher, derived from the Greek name Christophoros, meaning 'bearing Christ' or 'bearer of Christ.' The name became widespread in Christian Europe through the legend of Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers. In Scandinavian countries, the spelling Kristoff emerged as a common variant, particularly in Norwegian and Swedish contexts. The name gained modern visibility through the character Kristoff in Disney's 2013 film Frozen, which contributed to its peak in popularity in 2015.