Kertis first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kertis has been for the last 3 years (from 1989 to 1991) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kertis

A unique name of unclear origin, possibly a variant of the Greek name "Kertis".

Popularity of Kertis by gender

Based on the last 3 years of data, Kertis is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1991, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kertis.

Year Male Count Female Count
1991 6 0
1989 5 0

The history of the first name Kertis

The given name Kertis is believed to have originated from the ancient Celtic language spoken by the Britons and Gauls in parts of modern-day France, Britain, and Ireland. It is derived from the Proto-Celtic root "*kert-," which is thought to have meant "to turn" or "to twist." This root is also found in words related to woven objects or baskets in many Celtic languages.

The earliest recorded use of the name Kertis dates back to the Roman era, when it was mentioned in a Latin inscription found in the ruins of a Romano-British settlement. This suggests that the name was in use among the Celtic inhabitants of Britain during the Roman occupation, which lasted from the 1st to the 5th centuries CE.

In the Middle Ages, the name Kertis appeared in several Welsh and Breton medieval manuscripts, indicating its continued use among the Celtic populations of Britain and Brittany. One notable figure from this period was Kertis ap Rhys (c. 1160-1200), a Welsh prince and warrior who fought against the Anglo-Norman invaders.

During the Renaissance, the name Kertis resurfaced in historical records from various parts of Europe, likely due to the renewed interest in Classical and Celtic cultural traditions. In the 16th century, a French scholar named Kertis Dubois (1520-1588) made significant contributions to the study of ancient Celtic languages and literature.

In the 19th century, the name Kertis gained some popularity among certain intellectual and artistic circles, perhaps influenced by the Romantic movement's fascination with Celtic folklore and mythology. One example is the Scottish author and poet Kertis MacKenzie (1842-1912), known for his works inspired by Highland traditions.

Another notable figure was the Irish artist and illustrator Kertis O'Connell (1878-1949), whose intricate drawings and woodcuts often depicted scenes from Celtic mythology and legends.

While the name Kertis has never been among the most common given names, it has maintained a niche presence throughout history, particularly among those with an interest in Celtic culture and heritage.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kertis was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kertis, please contact us.

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"Kertis first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on September 14, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/kertis-meaning-and-history/.

"Kertis first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/kertis-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 14 September, 2025

Kertis first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/kertis-meaning-and-history/.

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