Espen vs Kris

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Espen

Boy #3,690 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"divine bear, god-bear"

Origin: Old Norse

Cultural Roots

Norwegian Scandinavian Danish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3,690
Total SSA Count
30
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Espi

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Espen →

Popularity Comparison

Espen Rank #3,690
Kris Rank #3,551

Kris is more popular, ranked #3551 vs #3690 for Espen.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Espen ___

  • Espen James
  • Espen William
  • Espen Lee
  • Espen John
  • Espen Cole
  • Espen Reid

Kris ___

  • Kris Allen
  • Kris James
  • Kris Lee
  • Kris Michael
  • Kris Paul
  • Kris Ryan

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Espen

Signe Astrid Gunnar Leif Sigrid

If you choose Kris

Kyle Kurt Kim Kara Brett

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Espen or Kris more popular?

Kris is more popular, ranked #3551 compared to Espen at #3690 in the United States.

What do Espen and Kris mean?

Espen means "divine bear, god-bear" (Old Norse origin). Kris means "follower of Christ, anointed one" (Greek origin).

Are Espen and Kris boy or girl names?

Espen is primarily a boy name. Kris is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Espen ← Full profile: Kris Browse all baby names