Meaning & History
Kristen is an English variant of Kristin, the Scandinavian form of Christina. Ultimately deriving from the Latin Christiana, the feminine form of Christian, the name means "follower of Christ." The name Christina was borne by an early Christian saint, possibly legendary, said to have been tortured by her pagan father, as well as by the 17th-century Swedish queen who abdicated to embrace Roman Catholicism.
Popularity and Usage
While Christina and its variant Christine were highly popular in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, Kristen emerged as a distinct Anglicized form, particularly common in the United States from the 1970s through the 1990s. Notable bearers include actress Christina Ricci (1980–), singer Christina Aguilera (1980–), and filmmaker Christina Crawford (whose biography Mommie Dearest gained notoriety).
Related Names
Variant forms include Christen, Cristen, Kristyn, and Krysten. International cognates include Basque Kistiñe, Spanish Cristina, Swedish Kristina, and Serbian Hristina. The pet form Tina is also used in Swedish.
- Meaning: "follower of Christ"
- Origin: English variant of Scandinavian Kristin
- Type: Feminine first name
- Usage regions: English-speaking countries