The name Kristen is a variant of the Greek name Christos, meaning "anointed" or "the anointed one". It is derived from the word "Khristós", which was a translation of the Hebrew word "Mashiach", meaning Messiah or Christ. The name Kristen can trace its roots back to the early days of Christianity, when it was used to refer to followers of Christ.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kristen can be found in the writings of the early Christian theologian, Tertullian, who lived in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. He used the name "Christianus" to refer to Christians, which is a Latin form of the Greek name Christos.

In the Middle Ages, the name Kristen gained popularity across Europe, particularly in Scandinavia and Germany. It was often used as a unisex name, with both men and women bearing the name. One notable example is Kristen Lagerfeldt, a Swedish statesman and diplomat who lived in the 17th century (1647-1692).

As Christianity spread throughout Europe, the name Kristen became increasingly common. In England, it was often spelled as "Crysten" or "Crystyn". One famous bearer of the name was Crysten de Pisan, a 15th-century Italian-French writer and philosopher (1364-1430).

In the 16th century, the name Kristen was also popular among Protestant reformers. Martin Kristen, a German theologian and reformer (1532-1607), was a prominent figure during the Protestant Reformation.

Another notable bearer of the name was Kristen Monrad, a 19th-century Norwegian statesman and prime minister (1816-1897). He played a significant role in the formation of the modern Norwegian state.

During the 20th century, the name Kristen gained even more popularity, particularly in the United States and other English-speaking countries. One of the most famous bearers of the name is Kristen Stewart, the American actress known for her role in the Twilight movie series (born in 1990).