Christina is a feminine given name of Latin origin that means "follower of Christ." The name was popularized by early Christian martyrs and saints such as Saint Christina the Astonishing and Saint Christina of Tyre, who are believed to have lived in the Middle Ages.
The name Christina has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous is Christina, Queen of Sweden (1626-1689), who was known for her intellectual pursuits and her support of the arts during her reign. Another notable figure is Christina Rossetti (1830-1894), an English poet whose works include "Goblin Market" and "The Prince's Progress."
The name Christina has been used in various forms throughout history, including Christina, Christine, Christina, Cristina, and others. It was particularly popular during the Middle Ages but has continued to be used up until the present day.
Today, Christina remains a popular given name for girls, although its usage has declined slightly over time. According to the Social Security Administration's data on U.S. names, Christina peaked in popularity in 1978 when it ranked as the 26th most popular girl's name that year. Since then, its ranking has fluctuated but remains within the top 500 names for girls each year.
Overall, Christina is a name with a rich history and a meaningful origin that has been worn by many notable figures throughout the centuries. Its enduring popularity as a given name for girls speaks to its timeless appeal and its ability to withstand the test of time.
Statistics on the name Christina:
Over the course of a century, from 1912 to 2005, the name Christina has been given to babies born in the United States of America a total of 1,283 times. The number of newborn girls named Christina varied greatly over the years.
In the early 20th century, around World War I and II, there were relatively few babies named Christina each year. Between 1912 and 1946, the annual number of births with this name ranged from a low of five in several years to a high of eleven in 1947.
After World War II, especially during the baby boom era from the late 1940s to the early 1960s, Christina became more popular. The peak year for the name was 1967 with a total of 23 births. This popularity continued through the 1970s, with over 50 babies named Christina each year from 1974 to 1980.
However, by the late 1980s and early 1990s, the name started to decline in popularity once again. Between 1991 and 2005, there were fewer than ten babies named Christina each year on average.
Despite this recent decrease in popularity, Christina remains a classic and timeless name that has been used consistently over the past century. It is important to note that these statistics only represent births registered with the Social Security Administration, which may not account for all births in the United States during this period.
Sources:
- Social Security Administration - Popular Names
- U.S. Census Bureau - Births: Final Data for 2019