Christos is a Greek masculine given name derived from the Greek word "Χριστός" which means "anointed". It comes from the Greek verb "χρίω" (chrīō), meaning "to anoint, to consecrate", and it is often used in reference to Jesus Christ as the Messiah. In its most common usage, Christos refers to Jesus Christ himself.
The name Christos has been widely used throughout history among Eastern Orthodox Christians. It was particularly popular during the Byzantine Empire and continues to be a traditional name among Greek Orthodox Christians today. In some cases, it is also used in other Orthodox churches such as those in Russia and Bulgaria.
One of the most famous historical figures named Christos was Christodoulos (or Christophoros), a 10th-century Byzantine general who played an important role during the reign of Emperor Basil II. He is credited with defending the empire against Arab invasions and protecting Constantinople from Muslim forces.
In modern times, Christos has become more popular as a given name around the world due to globalization and increased cultural exchange between Eastern Orthodox communities and other cultures. While it remains predominantly used among Greek Orthodox Christians, you can find people named Christos in various countries across Europe, North America, Australia, and beyond.
Overall, Christos is an ancient and significant name with deep historical roots within Christianity. Its meaning reflects the importance of Jesus Christ as a central figure in Christian faith, making it a strong choice for parents seeking a meaningful name with biblical significance.
The name Christos has been given to a total of 2,829 babies born in the United States since 1915. The popularity of the name varied greatly over the years, with some peaks and valleys.
From 1915 to 1937, there were fewer than 10 births per year on average for Christos. However, starting from 1940, we see a slight increase in popularity, with around 5-7 births per year until the late 1950s.
The name starts gaining traction in the early 1960s, with over 20 births recorded each year between 1961 and 1964. This trend continues throughout the 1970s, with the highest number of Christos births occurring in 1973 (55 babies) and 1979 (66 babies).
The popularity of the name begins to decline in the late 1980s, with fewer than 40 births per year recorded from 1988 onwards. This downward trend continues until the mid-2000s, when there's a brief resurgence in popularity, with over 50 Christos babies born annually between 2006 and 2009.
Since then, the name has been given to fewer than 40 babies per year on average. The most recent data shows that 33 babies named Christos were born in the United States in both 2022 and 2023. Despite fluctuations in popularity over time, Christos remains a unique and distinctive name with a significant number of bearers throughout American history.