Kostis is a Greek short form of Konstantinos, itself the Greek form of Constantine. The name traces its roots back to the Late Latin name Constans, which means "constant, steadfast." As a diminutive, Kostis carries the same foundational meaning of firmness and loyalty, common to the Constantine family of names. Etymology The name Konstantinos is derived from Constantinus, a Roman cognomen that emerged from the Latin word constans (genitive constantis). This was the name of Constantine the Great (Flavius Valerius Constantinus, 272–337), the first Roman emperor to adopt Christianity and founder of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). The use of Konstantinos in Greek Christian tradition became widespread in honor of the emperor, leading to many diminutives such as Kostis, Kostas, and Kostakis. Cultural Significance In Greek culture, the name Konstantinos and its short forms are ubiquitous, reflecting both religious devotion to Saint Constantine (celebrated on May 21 alongside his mother Saint Helen) and national pride in the Byzantine heritage. Kostis, being an informal variant, is commonly used in everyday life, while formal contexts typically employ the full name Konstantinos. Notable bearers include Kostis Palamas (1859–1943), a major poet of modern Greece, and Kostis Chatzidakis (born 1965), a Greek politician. The name also appears as a surname, notably held by Christos Kostis (born 1972), a Greek footballer. Distribution and Variants Kostis is primarily used in Greece, where it functions as both a given name and a nickname. Related forms in other languages include Albanian Kostandin, Belarusian Kanstantsin, Serbian Konstantin, and Macedonian Kostadin. Feminine counterparts include Konstantina and Konstadina. The American variant Gus sometimes serves as an anglicized form of Kostas/Kostis. Meaning: "constant, steadfast" Origin: Greek Type: Diminutive Usage Regions: Greece