Christine is a female given name of Latin origin. It comes from the Latin word "Chrīstīnus", which means "follower of Christ". The name was initially used to indicate that the person was a Christian or had been christened.
The name Christine became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly in France and Germany. It was often given to girls who were born around Christmas time or who were baptized on Christmas day. Over time, however, it gained popularity as a standalone name regardless of its association with Christmas.
One notable figure associated with the name Christine is Christine de Pizan, an Italian-born French writer who lived in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. She was one of the first women to make a living through her writing and is known for her works on topics such as history, philosophy, and ethics.
Today, Christine remains a popular name among English-speaking countries, although its popularity has fluctuated over time. It is often shortened to Chris or Chrissy, but it can also be used as a full name.
Overall, the name Christine is of Latin origin and means "follower of Christ". While it was initially associated with Christianity and Christmas, it has since become a popular standalone name that can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Europe. Notable figures such as Christine de Pizan have contributed to its enduring popularity throughout history.
The name Christine has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States, as reflected in the annual birth statistics provided.
From the earliest recorded data in 1909 with 5 births, the name Christine experienced some fluctuations in its initial decades. It had periods of increased popularity, such as between 1926 and 1933, where it peaked at 17 births per year for three consecutive years (1928, 1930, and 1933). However, there were also years with fewer than 10 births, indicating a lower prevalence of the name during those times.
The 1940s marked a turning point for Christine's popularity. After a low of just 6 births in 1942, it began to rise steadily, reaching an all-time high of 53 births in 1969. This trend continued into the early 1970s, with over 40 births per year consistently from 1963 to 1975.
However, after peaking in the mid-1970s, Christine's popularity started to decline once more. The number of annual births fell below 40 by the end of the decade and continued to decrease throughout the 1980s and 1990s. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, fewer than 15 births were recorded each year.
Despite this decline in popularity, Christine is still a name with some historical significance in the United States. With a total of 2031 births recorded over the years, it has been chosen by many families for their daughters. The varied trends in its popularity reflect changing tastes and preferences over time but also demonstrate that Christine remains a recognizable and used name across generations.