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Kristy

Girl name · 128 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Kristy: 128 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 11 births in 1987.

Kristy emerged as a diminutive of Christina or Christine, ultimately tracing back to the Greek *Khristos*, meaning "anointed one" or "follower of Christ." It rose to popularity in the English-speaking world during the 1960s and 70s, partly boosted by the fame of American actress Kristy McNichol, a beloved child star of television shows like *Family* and *Empty Nest*. The name also has a literary connection through the title character of Lois Duncan’s classic young adult thriller *Summer of Fear*, later adapted into a TV movie starring Linda Blair. While not tied to a specific place in Scotland, Kristy shares its root with the Scottish town of Kirkchrist, meaning "church of Christ." A notable variant is Kirsty, which is the more common Scottish spelling and has remained a staple name in the country for decades.