Christopher is a masculine given name of English origin. It is derived from the Late Middle English word "Cristopher," which itself comes from the Greek name "Christophoros." This Greek name is composed of two elements: "Christos," meaning "Christ" or "anointed one," and "phero," meaning "to bear, to carry."
The name Christopher has a rich history and has been popular for centuries. It was first used in the Byzantine Empire during the Middle Ages, with Saint Christopher being one of the most well-known figures associated with the name. According to legend, Saint Christopher was a giant who carried people across a dangerous river. When he carried the young Jesus across the river, he felt the child's weight increase to that of a heavy burden. Upon reaching the other side, Jesus revealed his true identity and told Christopher that he had borne not just any child, but the entire world on his shoulders.
The name Christopher gained further popularity during the medieval period in Europe due to the veneration of Saint Christopher as a patron saint of travelers. Many pilgrims and travelers adopted the name or named their children after him for protection and guidance during their journeys.
Over time, Christopher has evolved into a popular given name throughout the English-speaking world. It has consistently ranked among the top 500 names for boys in the United States since the mid-20th century. Some notable figures with the name Christopher include British author Christopher Marlowe, American astronauts Christopher Hadfield and Christopher Ferguson, and English actors Christopher Eccleston and Christopher Walken.
In summary, Christopher is an English given name of Greek origin that means "bearer of Christ." It has a long history and rich cultural significance, having been popularized through the legend of Saint Christopher. Today, it remains a widely-used and beloved name for boys.
Christopher is a name that has been popular among parents in the United States for several decades, with fluctuations in its popularity over time. According to the Social Security Administration's data on U.S. baby names, Christopher was born to at least one child every year from 1938 to 2023.
The name first started gaining traction in the late 1940s and early 1950s, with a steady increase in births each year until it reached its peak popularity in the mid-1960s. The highest number of babies named Christopher was recorded in 1970, with 217 births that year alone.
However, after reaching its zenith, the name's popularity began to decline steadily throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. It experienced a brief resurgence in the mid-1980s, with peaks in 1982 (430 births) and 1985 (415 births), before continuing its downward trend.
In recent years, Christopher has become less common as a baby name in the United States. Between 2016 and 2023, there were an average of around 7 births per year with this name. Despite this decrease in popularity, Christopher remains a classic and enduring name that has been chosen by parents for their children across generations.
In total, from 1938 to 2023, there have been 9507 babies named Christopher born in the United States.