UK name, mostly girls
Karis
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "grace, blessing".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Karis is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Karis popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3318, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 62 births.
This profile covers 957 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, NRS Scotland and NISRA Northern Ireland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 11% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 1,420 living people in the UK are called Karis. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Karis ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 7 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 62 girls were registered as Karis.
- • Karis ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #440 in 2016.
- • About 1,420 living people in the UK are estimated to have Karis as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 99.4% of Karis registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3318
2024
Births in 2024
7
Latest year
Peak year
1999
62 births
Estimated living
1,420
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Karis
In England and Wales birth records, Karis has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 0.6% of registrations are for boys and 99.4% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Karis registered for boys
- Ranked #4,805 in 2012
- 3 boys registered in 2012
- Peak: 2004 (3 births)
Karis registered for girls
- Ranked #3,318 in 2024
- 7 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 1999 (62 births)
Meaning
What does Karis mean?
The name Karis has its origins in the Greek language and culture, with roots dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Greek word "charis," which means "grace" or "favor." The name is often associated with qualities such as beauty, charm, and elegance.
In Greek mythology, Charis was one of the three Charites, or Graces, who were the embodiment of charm, beauty, and fertility. They were often depicted in art and literature as accompanying the goddess Aphrodite, the deity of love and beauty.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Karis can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who lived from 428 BC to 348 BC. In his work "The Symposium," Plato discusses the concept of charis and its importance in the pursuit of beauty and love.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Karis. One of the earliest recorded was Karis of Lindos, a Greek sculptor who lived in the 6th century BC and was known for his works depicting athletes and mythological figures.
During the Byzantine era, Karis was the name of a prominent female saint and martyr who lived in the 4th century AD. She was known for her unwavering faith and courage in the face of persecution.
In more modern times, Karis Nördquist was a Swedish actress and singer who lived from 1923 to 2003. She had a successful career in both film and theater and was renowned for her performances in several Swedish productions.
Another notable figure was Karis Teitan, a Norwegian explorer and writer who lived from 1908 to 1986. She was one of the first women to participate in expeditions to Antarctica and wrote several books documenting her experiences.
Lastly, Karis Muller was a German-born American artist and sculptor who lived from 1937 to 2019. Her works, which often explored themes of nature and the human form, were exhibited in galleries and museums around the world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Karis over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Karis in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Karis, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2024, compared with 62 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Karis by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Karis was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3215 | 38 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1455 | 249 | 10 |
| 2000s | #701 | 449 | 10 |
| 1990s | #506 | 221 | 4 |
Geography
Where Karis is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Karis. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Karis ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #440 in 2016.
Across the UK
Karis in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#482 in 2023
38 years of NRS records, 433 total registered
Northern Ireland (NISRA)
#440 in 2016
10 years of NISRA records, 39 total registered
Related
Names similar to Karis
- Katie 53,185
- Keira 14,411
- Katherine 11,323
- Kayleigh 10,677
- Kate 10,276
- Kelsey 7,224
- Kiera 7,218
- Kayla 6,541
- Kirsty 6,384
- Khadija 5,948
- Kimberley 5,189
- Kaitlyn 5,137
FAQ
Karis: questions and answers
How popular is the name Karis in the UK right now?
In 2024, Karis was ranked #3318 for girls in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.
When was Karis most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 62 babies registered as Karis in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Karis?
A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "grace, blessing".
How many people are called Karis in the UK?
A total of 957 babies have been registered as Karis across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 433 more in Scotland and 39 in Northern Ireland.
Where is Karis most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Karis ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #440 in 2016. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.