Christopher is a masculine given name of Greek origin, derived from the Greek word "Christophoros". This word combines two elements: "Christos", which means "anointed" or "messiah", and "pherō", meaning "to bear" or "carry". Therefore, Christopher translates to "bearer of Christ".
The name Christopher gained popularity during the Middle Ages in Europe. It was often given to children born around Christmas time or on Christmas Day, as it was seen as a way to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. The name also became popular due to the legend of Saint Christopher, who is said to have carried the young Christ across a river.
Over time, the name Christopher has been widely adopted by various cultures and has become one of the most common names in many English-speaking countries. It has also inspired numerous variations and diminutives such as Chris, Kris, Topher, and Toby.
In terms of popularity, Christopher was among the top 10 names for boys in several countries during the mid-20th century. Although it has since declined slightly in popularity, it remains a well-established name with enduring appeal. Overall, Christopher is a name with a rich history and meaningful origin that continues to be loved by many parents today.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Christopher has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past six decades in the United States.
In the early 1960s, there were fewer than ten births per year with the name Christopher. However, by the mid-1970s, this number began to increase significantly, reaching a peak of 57 births in 1981. This trend continued into the late 1980s and early 1990s, with around 30 to 50 births per year.
However, since the mid-1990s, there has been a steady decline in the popularity of the name Christopher. From 1997 onwards, the number of annual births with this name has consistently been below ten, reaching as low as five births in 2005 and 2002.
In total, over the sixty-year period from 1960 to 2008, there were a combined 1,051 births registered with the name Christopher in the United States. This fluctuation in popularity can be attributed to various factors such as changing trends, cultural influences, and personal preferences among parents. Despite the recent decline, Christopher remains a classic and enduring name choice for many families.