Christopher

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

English: from a medieval personal name which ostensibly means "bearer of Christ", Latin Christopherus, Greek Khristophoros, from Khristos "Christ." Compare Christian + -pher-, -phor- ‘carry’. This was borne by a rather obscure 3rd-century martyred saint. His name was relatively common among early Christians, who desired to bear Christ metaphorically with them in their daily lives. Subsequently, the name was explained by a folk etymology according to which the saint carried the infant Christ across a ford and so became the patron saint of travelers. In this guise, he was enormously popular in the Middle Ages, and many inns were named with the sign of St. Christopher. In some instances, the surname may have derived originally from the residence at or association with such an inn. As an American family name, Christopher has absorbed cognates from other continental European languages. (For forms, see Hanks and Hodges 1988.)

Famous people with this first name

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Christopher in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

• Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh - A gentle and imaginative boy who is best friends with Winnie the Pooh and the rest of the characters in the Hundred Acre Wood.
• Christopher Moltisanti from The Sopranos - An ambitious but troubled mobster working his way up in Tony Soprano's crime family.
• Christopher Turk from Scrubs - An affable surgeon with a comedic outlook on life, best friend to J.D.
• Christopher "Chris" Griffin from Family Guy - The dim-witted, overweight teenage son of Peter and Lois Griffin.
• Christopher "Kit" Walker from American Horror Story: Asylum - A man wrongfully imprisoned in an asylum, accused of being a prolific serial killer.

Popularity of the Name Christopher 

According to the Social Security Administration, the name Christopher has remained a strong presence in the US baby name rankings, consistently appearing in the top 100 for several decades. While it has seen some fluctuation in popularity over the years, it has been a stalwart of American naming conventions since the 20th century.

Christopher was originally used figuratively to represent the bearing of Christ in one's heart. It was eventually used as a name for Saint Christopher, a martyr who became the patron saint of travelers in the third century. The saint was named after the giant Christopher, who carried Christ across the river when he was a child. This ancient connection imbues the name with a sense of adventure and protection.

In more recent times, notable figures with the name include actors Christopher Reeve, known for his iconic role as Superman, and Christopher Walken, renowned for his distinctive voice and extensive filmography. The literary world has given us Christopher Marlowe, a contemporary of Shakespeare, and Christopher Tolkien, who edited and published much of his father J.R.R. Tolkien's posthumously published work.

Where Is the Name Christopher Popular?

This name is most popular across certain states in the U.S., including those highlighted on the map below.

Nicknames for Christopher

These shortened names can make great nicknames for your baby.

• Chip
• Chris
• Kit
• Topher

Christopher Pairs Well With These Middle Names

Looking for a middle name that fits perfectly? Consider these!