The nameChristopher
Christopher is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning "bearer of Christ". It was a top 10 name in the United States from 1967 to the 2000s.
- Boy's name
- Greek
- Feast day
Meaning
Christopher comes from the Greek Christophoros, "bearer of Christ".
Origin
Greek. According to legend, Saint Christopher carried the Christ child across a river, which made him the patron saint of travellers.
History
Christopher Columbus and Christopher Marlowe made it famous. It was hugely popular in the United States in the late 20th century, where it ranked second in the 1970s and 1980s. Chris and Kit are its short forms.
Christopher in other languages
Christopher is Christophe in French, Christoph in German, Cristoforo in Italian, Cristóbal in Spanish, Krzysztof in Polish and Kristoffer in the Nordic countries.
Nicknames for Christopher
The most common nicknames for Christopher: Chris, Kit and Topher.
Did you know?
- Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh's friend, was based on A. A. Milne's own son.
- Christopher Nolan won the Oscar for Best Director in 2024 for Oppenheimer.
- The playwright Christopher Marlowe was stabbed to death in a house in Deptford in 1593, aged 29.
Famous people named Christopher
- Saint Christopher
- Christopher Columbus, explorer
- Christopher Marlowe, playwright
- Christopher Nolan, film director
Popularity of the name Christopher
Christopher in the United States
Christopher was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 558,526 births over the decade, 27% of all recorded babies named Christopher. Its rise began around 1952, and it peaked in 1984. Half of all babies named Christopher in the United States were born before 1983, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 5,585 births a year on average, against 8,331 in the five years before.
Christopher in the United Kingdom
Christopher was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 12,695 births over the decade, 43% of all recorded babies named Christopher. Half of all babies named Christopher in the United Kingdom were born before 2003. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 312 births a year on average, against 427 in the five years before.
Christopher in Ireland
Christopher in France
Christopher in Belgium
Christopher in Austria
Christopher in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Christopher
Names from the same generation as Christopher, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Christopher? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Christopher with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Christopher side by side with the name of your choice.
Christopher in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Christopher mean?
Christopher comes from the Greek Christophoros, "bearer of Christ".
What is the origin of the name Christopher?
Greek. According to legend, Saint Christopher carried the Christ child across a river, which made him the patron saint of travellers.
Is Christopher a girl's or a boy's name?
Christopher is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Christopher?
In 2024, Christopher was the 61st most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 5,054 births.
What are the variants of the name Christopher?
Variants and related names of Christopher include Christophe.
What are good sibling names for Christopher?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Katherine, Alexandra, Madison and Emily for a sister, Andrew, Jason, Alex and Jonathan for a brother.
What are common nicknames for Christopher?
The most common nicknames for Christopher are Chris, Kit and Topher.
Who are famous people named Christopher?
Saint Christopher; Christopher Columbus, explorer; Christopher Marlowe, playwright; Christopher Nolan, film director.