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Chris

Boy / Girl name · 290 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Chris: 290 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 16 births in 1988.

Chris is most commonly a short form of Christopher or Christian, from the Greek *Christophoros* meaning “bearer of Christ.” Historically a nickname, it has stood as an independent given name since the mid‑20th century, particularly in Scotland and the wider English‑speaking world. Famous bearers include Scottish Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, whose six gold medals made him a national hero; actor Chris Evans, known for playing Captain America; and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. While no major place is named after the name itself, many towns and churches bear the full name Christopher. A notable variant is Kris, often used in Eastern Europe. Though predominantly masculine, Chris has seen occasional use as a unisex name, especially for women with names like Christine or Christina.