Khristen
A girl's name of Latin origin with 153 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Khristen peaked during the Millennial wave, when 13 babies received this name in a single year (1981). That era was defined by pop-culture-influenced, individuality-forward naming, and Khristen has a more concentrated history, reflecting a specific cultural moment rather than a broad generational wave.
Khristen is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Khristen is a girl's baby name of Latin origin, a phonetic respelling of Kristen or Christen, derived from the Latin Christianus, meaning 'follower of Christ.' The Kh- opening gives this familiar classic an unexpectedly exotic written form.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Khristen belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their clean, contemporary ending — among the most common endings in modern American names. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Latin naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Latin names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Khristen’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Khristen has 18+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1978.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 55 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 93 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 5 | — |
The Story of Khristen
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1981, Khristen is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Khristen are most likely born between 1978 and 1991.
How rare is Khristen?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Khristen is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1978, peaked in the 1980s with 93 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Khristen by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(18 years, 1978–1998)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 7 | #11786 |
| 1997 | 10 | #8706 |
| 1995 | 9 | #9144 |
| 1994 | 6 | #12613 |
| 1993 | 6 | #12624 |
| 1992 | 6 | #12540 |
| 1991 | 11 | #7683 |
| 1989 | 9 | #8381 |
| 1988 | 13 | #6069 |
| 1987 | 10 | #7055 |
| 1986 | 8 | #8101 |
| 1985 | 6 | #9945 |
| 1984 | 7 | #8622 |
| 1983 | 5 | #11088 |
| 1982 | 10 | #6597 |
| 1981 | 13 | #5415 |
| 1980 | 12 | #5705 |
| 1978 | 5 | #10524 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Khristen a boy's or girl's name?
When was Khristen most popular?
How popular is the name Khristen?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1978–1998