Find out how popular the first name Kristofferson has been for the last 3 years (from 2015 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kristofferson by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kristofferson.

The history of the first name Kristofferson

The given name Kristofferson is a Swedish masculine name derived from the combination of two separate elements - 'Kristoffer' and 'son'. The name Kristoffer itself is the Swedish form of the name Christopher, which has Greek origins and means 'bearer of Christ'. The second part 'son' is a common suffix used in Scandinavian naming traditions to indicate patronymic lineage.

The earliest recorded use of the name Kristofferson dates back to the 17th century in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries. It was particularly prevalent among the Swedish nobility and upper classes, where the use of compound surnames was a common practice. The name gained popularity as a way to distinguish individuals within the same family and to indicate their lineage.

In terms of historical references, the name Kristofferson does not appear to have any direct associations with ancient texts or religious scriptures. However, its root name Christopher has biblical origins, as it refers to the Christian legend of St. Christopher, who carried the Christ child across a river.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Kristofferson was Kristoffer Kristofferson Rhutenius (1665-1743), a Swedish clergyman and bishop of Lund, who lived during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Another influential figure was Kristoffer Kristofferson Mørk (1795-1875), a Norwegian politician and member of the Norwegian Constituent Assembly, which drafted the Constitution of Norway in 1814.

In the 20th century, the name gained widespread recognition through the American singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson (born 1936). Known for his distinctive gravelly voice and poetic lyrics, Kristofferson achieved success in both the country and folk music genres, penning hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down".

Other notable individuals with the name Kristofferson include the Norwegian writer and critic Kristoffer Kristofferson Janson (1842-1917), the Swedish painter Kristoffer Kristofferson Artelius (1833-1916), and the American football player Kristoffer Kristofferson Dielman (born 1983), who played for the San Diego Chargers in the NFL.

Overall, the name Kristofferson has a rich history rooted in Scandinavian naming traditions, with its origins dating back to the 17th century. While not directly associated with ancient texts or scriptures, its root name Christopher has biblical significance, contributing to the name's enduring popularity across cultures and generations.

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 Kristofferson was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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