Kir is named after Cannon Félix Kir, priest and hero of the French resistance during World War II, and mayor of Dijon from 1945 to 1968. He was very fond of the local white wine mixed with Creme de Cassis (blackcurrant liquor). This fondness has been variously attributed to:

• His desire to promote local products (which he certainly was known for). As Dijon is the centre in France for producing Creme de Cassis and is in a major white wine producing area (Burgundy region of France), this drink combined two important local products.
• The fact that local wine was often somewhat acidic, so the sweetness of the liquor would pleasantly offset this
• Or perhaps just because he liked to drink

Whatever the reason, it became the official aperitif at town hall receptions and gained increasing fame. Prior to this point the drink was simply known as "vin blanc cassis" (which translates as white wine with creme de cassis). However, during this period, it became widely know as Kir, the term which is now commonly used within France and world-wide.

The drink certainly seemed to agree with Canon Kir, as he was well into his nineties when he died in 1968. One might mention that blackcurrants have approximately seven times as much vitamin C as oranges (for comparable weights), much of which is reputedly preserved within the Creme de Cassis.