Kris is a name of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse word 'Krís'. The name has been used in various forms throughout history and across different cultures, but it is most commonly associated with Scandinavia.
The meaning of Kris varies depending on the culture and language. In Old Norse, 'Krís' means 'thorn bush', while in some Slavic languages, such as Polish and Croatian, it translates to 'lord'. However, in English-speaking countries, Kris is often considered a unisex name with no specific meaning.
Historically, Kris has been used as both a male and female name. In Norway, for instance, Kris was traditionally given to boys, while in other parts of Europe, such as Poland and Croatia, it was typically given to girls. Today, Kris is used as a gender-neutral name, popular among parents who prefer unique and non-traditional names for their children.
Some famous people named Kris include the American actor Kris Kristofferson, the Canadian singer-songwriter Kris Berry, and the Australian cricketer Kris Matthews. However, these individuals should not be used to determine the origin or meaning of the name Kris, as personal experiences and associations can vary greatly among different people.
The name Kris has seen a varied trend of popularity in the United States over the years, with a significant peak in the mid-20th century. In the early years, from 1937 to 1946, the number of births for the name Kris ranged from 5 to 53 per year. However, starting from 1948, there was a notable increase in popularity, with over 100 births each year until 1955.
The years 1952 and 1957 marked significant peaks during this period, with 216 and 358 births respectively. This trend continued into the 1960s, with the highest number of births occurring in 1961 at 503. However, starting from the mid-1960s, the popularity of the name Kris began to decline gradually.
From the 1970s onwards, the number of births for the name Kris fluctuated between 200 and 400 annually, with a notable spike in 1974 at 416 births. The late 1980s saw another decline in popularity, with fewer than 100 births each year from 1985 to 1993.
In the new millennium, the name Kris experienced renewed popularity, with over 50 births each year until 2017. Notably, there were 74 births in both 2001 and 2017. However, recent years have seen a decrease in popularity once again, with fewer than 100 births per year since 2018.
In total, there have been 14,329 births of the name Kris in the United States from 1937 to 2023. Despite fluctuations in popularity over time, Kris remains a name with historical significance and continues to be chosen by parents today.