Kit is the traditional English short form of Christopher, from the Greek Christophoros, "bearer of Christ". Frontiersman Kit Carson, playwright Kit Marlowe and actor Kit Harington of Game of Thrones have kept it in use for centuries. As an independent boys' name Kit is new to the US charts: it ranked number 5464 in 2000 and has climbed to number 1103 in 2025, its best rank so far.