"follower of Christ, anointed one"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Kris
Pronunciation: [ kr-IHS ]
Does Kris flow with your last name?
A crisp, international name meaning follower of Christ
American
Scandinavian
European
Classic
Minimalist
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"bearer of Christ"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
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The Story of Kris
Kris is a short form of Kristian, Kristoffer, or Christopher, all derived from the Greek Christophoros, meaning bearer of Christ or Christ-carrier. The Greek element Christos means anointed one, itself a translation of the Hebrew Messiah. The K spelling is characteristic of Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway, Denmark, and Sweden.
Kris was popular in the United States from the 1950s through the 1980s as a crisp, modern alternative to Chris. The K spelling adds a Scandinavian or distinctive quality. The name is associated with several high-profile celebrities including Kris Kristofferson and Kris Jenner.
In Scandinavian countries, the K spelling is standard for names derived from Christos. Kris carries the simplicity and directness valued in Nordic naming culture. In America, the K spelling became fashionable for both boys and girls in the latter half of the 20th century.
Historical Record
Kris first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 13,929 babies have been named Kris in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kris is past its peak , currently ranked #3,551 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Kris is used as both a masculine and feminine name in Scandinavian countries
- The K spelling is standard in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden for Chris-derived names
- Kris Kristofferson, the singer-songwriter and actor, is one of the most distinguished bearers of this name
Kris in Other Languages
Greek
Χρήστος
Danish
Kris
German
Chris
Swedish
Kris
Norwegian
Kris
Popularity Over Time
#3,551
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1963
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kris
K
Kris Bryant
Athlete
1992
American professional baseball player and 2016 World Series champion with the Chicago Cubs
K
Kris Jenner
Entertainer
1955
American media personality and businesswoman, matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner family
K
Kris Kristofferson
Musician
1936
American singer-songwriter and actor, wrote Me and Bobby McGee and Sunday Mornin Comin Down
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Compare Kris with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #3,551
- Total SSA Count
- 32
- Cultural Origins
- American Scandinavian European
- 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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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kris
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Kris is also used as a girl name, ranked #14892.
View Kris as a girl name →Similar Names
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American coined origin
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English origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kris
What does the name Kris mean?
"follower of Christ, anointed one" (from Greek). "bearer of Christ" (from Greek). Kris is a short form of Kristian, Kristoffer, or Christopher, all derived from the Greek Christophoros, meaning bearer of Christ or Christ-carrier. The Greek element Christos means anointed one, itself a translation of the Hebrew Messiah. The K spelling is characteristic of Scandinavian countries, particularly Norway, Denmark, and Sweden.
What is the origin of the name Kris?
Kris has Greek, American, Scandinavian, and European origins. In Greek, it means "follower of Christ, anointed one". In Greek, it means "bearer of Christ".
Is Kris a boy or girl name?
Kris is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3551. As a girl name, it is ranked #14892. Kris is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Kris?
Kris is pronounced kr-IHS.
How popular is the name Kris?
Kris is currently ranked #3551 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Kris?
Popular middle name pairings include Kris Allen, Kris James, Kris Lee, Kris Michael, Kris Paul, and Kris Ryan.
What are good sibling names for Kris?
Names that pair well with Kris as siblings include Kyle, Kurt, Kim, Kara, Brett, and Tara.
How many syllables does Kris have?
Kris has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kris a common or rare name?
Kris is an uncommon name, ranked #3551 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Kris?
Are there other spellings for Kris?
About the Name Kris
Kris is a boy name with American, Scandinavian, and European origins . The name means "follower of Christ, anointed one" in Greek .
Is Kris a boy or girl name? Kris is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,551 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #14,892. Kris is more commonly used as a boy name.
Kris is currently ranked #3,551 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Kris has 1 syllable and is pronounced kr-IHS, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Kris include Kristian, Kristopher, Krishiv, Krish, Krishna . 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