Meaning & History
Christian is a masculine given name derived from the medieval Latin name Christianus, meaning "a Christian" (see Christos 1 for further etymology). The name ultimately traces back to the Koine Greek title Christós (Χριστός), a translation of the Hebrew term mashiach (messiah), referring to Jesus of Nazareth. As such, the name carries deep Christian religious significance, identifying the bearer as a follower of Christ.
Etymology and History
The name Christian was used in England from the Middle Ages, where it was occasionally given to both males and females, but it did not become widespread until the 17th century. In Denmark, it gained particular prominence, being borne by ten kings from the 15th century onward, including Christian I (1426–1481), who founded the House of Oldenburg, and Christian X (1870–1947), who reigned during both World Wars. The name became extremely popular in many European countries in the 20th century: in France, it ranked among the top ten names for most of the 1940s and 1950s; in Germany, it held the number-one spot for several years in the 1970s and 1980s; and in the United States, it peaked in popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Notable Bearers
Famous bearers include the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875), whose fairy tales such as The Ugly Duckling and The Emperor's New Clothes are classics worldwide, and the French fashion designer Christian Dior (1905–1957), founder of the eponymous luxury fashion house. Other notable Christians include German philosopher Christian Wolff, French painter Christian Lacroix, and Brazilian footballer Christian Vieri.
Related Forms and Variants
The name has many variants across languages and cultures, including Kristian (Danish, Finnish), Chrétien (French), Christer (Swedish), and Kristijan (Slovene). Diminutives such as Chris (Danish) and Kris (Danish) are common. Feminine forms are widespread, including Christiana, Christina, Kristina, Christine, and Christiane. Surname descendants such as Christiansen and Christianson are also common in Scandinavia and English-speaking countries.
- Meaning: Follower of Christ, a Christian
- Origin: Latin, from Greek Christós (messiah)
- Type: First name
- Usage regions: Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, United States, and many others
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Christians