Kristof
A boy's name of Greek origin with 299 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Kristof is a boy's baby name of Greek origin, a Central and Eastern European form of Christopher, meaning 'bearing Christ' — from the Greek Christophoros (Christos + phoros, 'bearer').
Kristof is the standard form of Christopher in Polish, Czech, Slovenian, and other Central European languages. It carries the full weight of the Christopher tradition — Saint Christopher, patron of travelers — in a compact, distinctively European spelling. With nearly 300 recorded U.S. births, it has genuine appreciation.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Kristof's final sounds are sharp, distinct — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Kristof follows that masculine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Kristof's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Kristof was #7308 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #11707, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 26 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 69 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 106 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 73 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 20 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 5 | — |
The Story of Kristof
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2001, Kristof is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Kristof are most likely born between 1991 and 2011.
How rare is Kristof?
Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Kristof — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1972, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 106 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Kristof by the numbers
- Would fill 6 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(35 years, 1972–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | #11707 |
| 2023 | 6 | #11636 |
| 2021 | 5 | #13232 |
| 2020 | 9 | #8441 |
| 2019 | 9 | #8583 |
| 2016 | 9 | #8532 |
| 2015 | 11 | #7338 |
| 2014 | 11 | #7331 |
| 2013 | 5 | #13225 |
| 2012 | 7 | #10324 |
| 2011 | 7 | #10290 |
| 2010 | 10 | #7907 |
| 2009 | 11 | #7498 |
| 2008 | 6 | #11928 |
| 2007 | 9 | #8624 |
| 2006 | 10 | #7765 |
| 2005 | 7 | #9694 |
| 2004 | 10 | #7308 |
| 2003 | 14 | #5429 |
| 2002 | 12 | #5921 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kristof a boy's or girl's name?
When was Kristof most popular?
How popular is the name Kristof?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–2024