Krystal

Pronunciation: [ kr-IHST-uhl ]

Girl Name #2,175 Most Popular Hidden Gem 2 Syllables

Sparkling as ice — a gem name from the 80s

American English African-American

Vintage Playful Bold Modern

Meaning & Origin

"clear ice, rock crystal, quartz"

Origin: Greek

Language: English

"transparent, pure, sparkling"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

The Story of Krystal

Krystal is an alternate spelling of Crystal, from the Latin 'crystallus' and Greek 'krystallos,' meaning clear ice or rock crystal. The ancient Greeks believed rock crystal (quartz) was permanently frozen ice. As a given name, Crystal became popular in the English-speaking world in the 20th century; the K-spelling Krystal emerged as a personalized variant, particularly popular in African-American communities in the 1980s and 1990s.

Crystal (and Krystal) peaked in US popularity in the 1980s-early 1990s, propelled partly by the TV series Dynasty's character Krystle Carrington. The name was especially embraced in African-American communities during this era. Today it reads as distinctly vintage.

In gemstone naming traditions, crystal names (Crystal, Amber, Ruby, Pearl, Jade) represent a category of nature-inspired feminine names popular across multiple decades. The K-spelling of Krystal specifically reflects a generation of creative orthographic personalization in American naming.

Fun Facts

The ancient Greeks thought quartz crystal was permanently frozen water
Dynasty's character Krystle Carrington (Linda Evans) influenced this name's spelling boom in the 1980s
The K-spelling variant became especially popular in African-American communities during the 1980s-90s

Krystal in Other Languages

Greek Κρύσταλλο

Latin Crystallum

French Crystal

Russian Кристалл

Spanish Crystal

Famous People Named Krystal

Krystal Ball

Other

1981

American political commentator, former MSNBC host, and co-host of Breaking Points

Crystal Gayle

Musician

1951

American country music singer known for Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue and her floor-length brown hair

Krystle Carrington Fictional

Other

Fictional protagonist of the TV soap opera Dynasty (1981-1989), played by Linda Evans — known for glamour and rivalry wi...

Fictional protagonist of the TV soap opera Dynasty (1981-1989), played by Linda Evans — known for glamour and rivalry with Alexis Colby

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #2,175
Total SSA Count: 87
Cultural Origins: American English African-American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Casual
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Kris Krissy

Pairs Well With

Krystal Lynn Krystal Ann Krystal Marie Krystal Lee Krystal Dawn Krystal Renee

Sibling Names

Amber Tiffany Brittany Desiree Monique Chanel

Also a Boy Name

Krystal is also used as a boy name, ranked #7964.

View Krystal as a boy name →

Similar Names

Crystal Cristel Cristal Bristol Itzel Cypress

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Frequently Asked Questions About Krystal

What does the name Krystal mean?

"clear ice, rock crystal, quartz" (from Greek). "transparent, pure, sparkling" (from Latin). Krystal is an alternate spelling of Crystal, from the Latin 'crystallus' and Greek 'krystallos,' meaning clear ice or rock crystal. The ancient Greeks believed rock crystal (quartz) was permanently frozen ice. As a given name, Crystal became popular in the English-speaking world in the 20th century; the K-spelling Krystal emerged as a personalized variant, particularly popular in African-American communities in the 1980s and 1990s.

What is the origin of the name Krystal?

Krystal has Greek, Latin, American, English, and African-American origins. In Greek, it means "clear ice, rock crystal, quartz". In Latin, it means "transparent, pure, sparkling".

Is Krystal a boy or girl name?

Krystal is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2175. As a boy name, it is ranked #7964. Krystal is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Krystal?

Krystal is pronounced kr-IHST-uhl.

How popular is the name Krystal?

Krystal is currently ranked #2175 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Krystal?

Common nicknames for Krystal include Kris and Krissy.

What are good middle names for Krystal?

Popular middle name pairings include Krystal Lynn, Krystal Ann, Krystal Marie, Krystal Lee, Krystal Dawn, and Krystal Renee.

What are good sibling names for Krystal?

Names that pair well with Krystal as siblings include Amber, Tiffany, Brittany, Desiree, Monique, and Chanel.

How many syllables does Krystal have?

Krystal has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Krystal a common or rare name?

Krystal is an uncommon name, ranked #2175 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Krystal

Krystal is a girl name with American, English, and African-American origins . The name means "clear ice, rock crystal, quartz" in Greek .

Is Krystal a boy or girl name? Krystal is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,175 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #7,964. Krystal is more commonly used as a girl name.

Krystal is currently ranked #2,175 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Krystal has 2 syllables and is pronounced kr-IHST-uhl, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Krystal include Kris and Krissy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.