Kurtis

Meaning & origin

Kurtis is a variant spelling of Curtis, a name that has been used in the United States since at least 1934, when it first appeared in Social Security records. Its peak came in 1987, when it reached its highest rank, reflecting a broader trend of 'K' spellings gaining popularity in the 1970s and 80s. Since 1988, its usage has been steadily declining, and as of 2025, it ranked 2,718th, given to roughly 1 in every 36,342 boys. Though it never cracked the top 500 nationally, Kurtis enjoyed modest but consistent use through the late 20th century, particularly in the 1980s. While no single state stands out as a stronghold for Kurtis, the name's trajectory mirrors that of similar surname-based given names that have fallen out of favor in recent decades.

Kurtis is a variant spelling of Curtis, derived from the Old French 'curteis' meaning 'courteous' or 'refined,' originally a nickname for someone of courtly manners. It came into use as a given name in the English-speaking world, particularly in the United States, where the spelling Kurtis gained modest popularity in the mid-20th century, likely influenced by surnames or as a distinctive twist on Curtis.