Christopher
Christopher is a boy's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Bearer of Christ.
Origin and history
Christopher is a classic masculine name derived from the Greek name Christophoros, meaning 'bearer of Christ'. It has been extremely popular in the United States throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, ranking among the top male names overall. It remains a widely recognized and timeless staple in U.S. naming tradition.
Popularity in the United States
2,069,596 babies in the United States have been named Christopher since 1880. It ranks #11 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #57.
States where it is most popular
- CA (10.9 %)
- NY (8.4 %)
- TX (7.5 %)
- FL (4.5 %)
- PA (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 752 |
| 1890-1900 | 668 |
| 1900-1910 | 484 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,960 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,862 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,731 |
| 1940-1950 | 15,865 |
| 1950-1960 | 78,333 |
| 1960-1970 | 237,144 |
| 1970-1980 | 475,423 |
| 1980-1990 | 554,863 |
| 1990-2000 | 360,287 |
| 2000-2010 | 203,372 |
| 2010-2019 | 102,156 |
| 2020-2029 | 32,696 |
Famous people named Christopher
- Christopher Reeve: Actor, Activist
- Christopher Nolan: Film Director, Screenwriter
- Christopher Walken: Actor
Nicknames
Chris, Topher, Kit
Fun facts
- Christopher was one of the top five most popular boys' names in the United States during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
- According to tradition, Saint Christopher carried a child across a river who later revealed himself to be Jesus Christ.