National Chris Day takes place on September 28 every year. Chris is a predominantly male name of Greek origin. Derived from the Greek word ‘Christoforos,’ Chris means “bearer of Christ.” Its long form is the name Christopher, made up of two constituent parts: ‘Christos’ (Christ) and ‘pherein’ (to bear). The name has been around since the 10th century but came into popular use during the 15th century. It was used by early Christians as a metaphor, to express the fact that they carried Christ in their hearts. In 2021, Chris held number 660 on the list of most popular male names in the U.S.
History of National Chris Day
During the Middle Ages, there was a legend about a saint named Christopher, who literally carried a young Jesus across a river, leading to his canonization and popularity as a patron saint for travelers. Its popularity peaked during the 20th century, becoming one of the top 20 most popular male names in England and Wales. Chris may also be a short-form of Christian or Christiana.
Christopher has a mind-boggling number of variations in other cultures, a few of which are: Christoffel in Afrikaans; Kristafor, Kristufer, or Kristufar in Arabic; Krystafier in Belarusian; Cristofanu in Corsican; Krystof in Czech; Kristoffer’ in Finnish; Christof, Christoph, or Christoffer in German; Cristovo in Galician; and Christoffel, Christoforus, Kristof, or Christophe in Dutch. Other abbreviations of Christopher include Kit, Topher, Kris, and Kester.
Based on Social Security Administration records between 2000 and 2021, Chris was at its most popular in 2008, ranking 346th in the list of most popular male names in the United States. In 2021, its popularity dropped to 660th place on the list, matching 407 births accounting for only 0.022% of total male births in that year.
National Chris Day timeline
The legend of Saint Christopher begins circulating among certain Christians.
Christopher peaks in popularity in England and Wales.
Christopher reaches its highest level of popularity in the United States.
Chris ranks 660th on the list of the most popular male names in the United States.
National Chris Day FAQs
Is Chris mentioned in the “Bible?”
No. The name does not appear anywhere in the “Bible.”
Is Chris a male or female name?
Chris can be used as a name for both boys and girls.
Where does the name Christian come from?
The name came into use in Antioch in the period after the ascension of Jesus, as people began calling his disciples “followers of Christ.”
National Chris Day Activities
Celebrate the name
Know anybody named Chris? Wish them a happy National Chris Day!
Say it a different way
There’s so much fun to be had with word games. Rearrange the name and see if you can make any new words by spelling it differently.
Share this article
Tell others about National Chris Day. Share this article on social media and spread awareness of the day.
5 Popular Individuals Named Chris
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
Born December 7, 1963, Oyakhilome is the founder and pastor of the Nigerian-based Christ Embassy church.
Chris Evans
Born June 13, 1981, Evans is an American actor, famous for playing Captain America in the Marvel series.
Chris Hemsworth
Born August 11, 1983, Hemsworth is an Australian actor, best known for his roles in “Thor,” “A Perfect Getaway,” and “Red Dawn.”
Chris Pratt
Born June 21, 1979, Pratt is an American actor, particularly famous for playing Andy Dwyer in “Parks and Recreation.”
Chris Rock
Born February 7, 1965, Rock is an American comedian, actor, film producer, and writer who has been part of films such as “Down to Earth.”
Why We Love National Chris Day
Chris has beautiful meaning
To believers of Christianity, Chris is a heart-warming name. “Bearers of Christ” is a beautiful pointer to the crux of their beliefs.
Chris sounds strong
Chris is a strong name. Its spelling and pronunciation lend it a strong sensation and quality.
Chris is rich in origin
Unlike many others, Chris is not a name pulled out of thin air. Its origins are rooted in history and backed with hard evidence.
National Chris Day dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | September 28 | Thursday |
2024 | September 28 | Saturday |
2025 | September 28 | Sunday |
2026 | September 28 | Monday |
2027 | September 28 | Tuesday |