Christiane is a female given name of Latin origin. It comes from the male name Christian, which itself derives from the Late Latin word "Christianus", meaning "follower of Christ". Therefore, the name Christiane means " follower of Christ" as well.
The name has been in use since the early Middle Ages, when it was first used to refer to people who were followers of Christianity. It became more popular during the Counter-Reformation, when Catholics sought to emphasize their faith by giving their children religious names such as Christiane.
Over time, the name Christiane has been associated with various notable figures throughout history and culture. For example, Christiane Amanpour is a renowned journalist and global affairs anchor for CNN International, while Christiane Nusslein-Volhard is a German molecular biologist who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1995.
Despite its religious origins, the name Christiane has also been popular among those who simply appreciate its classic, elegant sound. Today, it remains a beloved choice for parents looking to give their daughter a timeless and meaningful name.
Between 1946 and 2020, the name Christiane was given to a total of 2257 babies born in the United States each year. The popularity of this name has varied over time, with peaks occurring in certain years.
The name first appeared in the top 1000 names for girls in the United States in 1946, with five births that year. The number of births increased significantly the following year, reaching seventeen births in 1947. However, the popularity of the name Christiane declined again in 1948, with only nine births recorded that year.
The trend of fluctuating popularity continued throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In 1955, there were forty-one births, which was the highest number recorded during this period. However, by 1963, the number of births had decreased to nineteen.
In the 1970s, the name Christiane experienced a resurgence in popularity. The number of births reached eighty-seven in 1971 and seventy-three in 1972. However, this trend did not continue into the 1980s, with only thirty-eight births recorded in 1980.
Since then, the name Christiane has been given to fewer than fifty babies each year in the United States. In recent years, the number of births has ranged from six to fourteen per year, with a total of seven births recorded in both 2016 and 2017.
Overall, while the name Christiane has not been particularly popular in the United States since the 1980s, it has still been given to a significant number of babies over the past seventy-five years. Its popularity has fluctuated over time, with certain periods experiencing higher numbers of births than others. Despite its variable popularity, the name Christiane remains a unique and memorable choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their daughter.