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.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Kris experienced significant popularity growth from the 1940s to its peak in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The name first gained notable traction in 1944 with 36 births, increasing steadily until it reached a peak of 513 births in 1962. After this peak, the popularity of the name Kris began to decline, reaching its lowest point in recent years with only 28 births in 2023. Overall, there were a total of 14,329 births with the name Kris between 1937 and 2023.