Christopher
Gender: Boy
Meaning: Bearer of Christ; Christ-carrier
Origin: Greek — from Christos (Christ) + phero (to bear, carry)
Popularity: Ranked #68 in 2025 with 4,748 babies born.
History: Christopher honors the legendary St. Christopher, patron saint of travelers, who according to tradition carried the Christ child across a river. The name became wildly popular across Catholic Europe in the Middle Ages. Christopher Columbus gave it enduring New World prestige. In the United States it dominated the top 5 from the 1960s through the 1990s — an entire generation of Chrises, Chrises, and Kits. Though it has slipped from the very top, it remains a well-loved classic.
Famous people named Christopher: Christopher Columbus (explorer), Christopher Nolan (director), Chris Hemsworth (actor)
Name length: 11 letters
How common is Christopher? About 1 in 701 babies born in 2025 were named Christopher, or roughly 13 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Christopher
What does the name Christopher mean?
Christopher means “Bearer of Christ; Christ-carrier” from Greek — from Christos (Christ) + phero (to bear, carry) roots.
What is the origin of the name Christopher?
Christopher has Greek — from Christos (Christ) + phero (to bear, carry) origin. The traditional meaning is “Bearer of Christ; Christ-carrier”.
How popular is Christopher?
Christopher ranked #68 in 2025 — given to 4,748 babies that year.
When was Christopher most popular?
Christopher peaked in 1984 with 60,019 babies registered that year.
Is Christopher a boy or girl name?
Christopher is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Christophers in registered births are male.
Is the name Christopher rising or falling in popularity?
Christopher has risen 8885 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #8953 in 2020 to #68 in 2025.
How long has Christopher been recorded?
Christopher appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.