"bearer of Christ"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Cris
Pronunciation: [ kr-IHS ]
Does Cris flow with your last name?
A crisp, powerful one-syllable form of a Christian classic
Spanish
Portuguese
Italian
English
American
Classic
Minimalist
Traditional
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"anointed one who carries"
Origin: Greek (Christophoros)
Language: English
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The Story of Cris
Cris is a short form of Christopher, Cristian, or Cristobal, all derived from the Greek 'Christophoros,' meaning 'bearer of Christ' — combining 'Christos' (anointed one) and 'pherein' (to bear or carry). In Spanish and Portuguese-speaking cultures, the spelling 'Cris' (rather than Chris) is standard, functioning as both a standalone given name and a nickname. The legendary Saint Christopher carried the Christ child across a river, giving the name its iconic visual story.
Cris is commonly used as a standalone given name in Spanish-speaking countries (Spain, Latin America) and Portugal, where it is a natural short form of Cristiano, Cristobal, or Cristian. In the English-speaking world it appears more rarely, where the 'Ch-' spelling (Chris) dominates.
Christopher/Cris is historically one of the most popular masculine names in the Christian world. Saint Christopher is the patron saint of travelers, and his medal is still widely worn. In Latin America, Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus) gives the name particular historical weight.
Historical Record
Cris first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,777 babies have been named Cris in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Cris is past its peak , currently ranked #6,048 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Christopher, patron saint of travelers, is said to have carried the child Jesus across a raging river
- Christopher/Cristobal was the most common name in many Catholic countries throughout the 20th century
- Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most famous athletes in the world, shares this name origin
Cris in Other Languages
Greek
Χρήστος (Christos)
French
Christophe
Italian
Cristiano
Spanish
Cristian/Cristobal
Portuguese
Cristiano
Popularity Over Time
#6,048
Current Rank
Peaked 1960
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Cris
C
Cristiano Ronaldo
Athlete
1985
Portuguese football superstar, one of the greatest players in history; his first name Cristiano is the long form of Cris
C
Cris Carter
Athlete
1965
NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, known as one of the greatest receivers of his era
S
Saint Christopher
Religious
3rd-century Christian martyr and patron saint of travelers, said to have carried the Christ child across a river
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #6,048
- Total SSA Count
- 15
- Cultural Origins
- Spanish Portuguese Italian English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Cris
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Cris is also used as a girl name, ranked #28471.
View Cris as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cris
What does the name Cris mean?
"bearer of Christ" (from Greek). "anointed one who carries" (from Greek (Christophoros)). Cris is a short form of Christopher, Cristian, or Cristobal, all derived from the Greek 'Christophoros,' meaning 'bearer of Christ' — combining 'Christos' (anointed one) and 'pherein' (to bear or carry). In Spanish and Portuguese-speaking cultures, the spelling 'Cris' (rather than Chris) is standard, functioning as both a standalone given name and a nickname. The legendary Saint Christopher carried the Christ child across a river, giving the name its iconic visual story.
What is the origin of the name Cris?
Cris has Greek, Greek (Christophoros), Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, English, and American origins. In Greek, it means "bearer of Christ". In Greek (Christophoros), it means "anointed one who carries".
Is Cris a boy or girl name?
Cris is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #6048. As a girl name, it is ranked #28471. Cris is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Cris?
Cris is pronounced kr-IHS.
How popular is the name Cris?
Cris is currently ranked #6048 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Cris?
Popular middle name pairings include Cris Anthony, Cris Michael, Cris David, Cris Alexander, Cris Emmanuel, Cris Xavier, and Cris Miguel.
What are good sibling names for Cris?
Names that pair well with Cris as siblings include Diego, Sofia, Carlos, Lucia, Miguel, Ana, and Marco.
How many syllables does Cris have?
Cris has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cris a common or rare name?
Cris is an uncommon name, ranked #6048 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Cris?
Are there other spellings for Cris?
About the Name Cris
Cris is a boy name with Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, English, and American origins . The name means "bearer of Christ" in Greek .
Is Cris a boy or girl name? Cris is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #6,048 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #28,471. Cris is more commonly used as a boy name.
Cris is currently ranked #6,048 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Cris has 1 syllable and is pronounced kr-IHS, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Cris include Cristian, Cristiano, Cristopher, Cristobal, Cristofer . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis