Christopher (given name)
| Christopher | |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Origin | |
| Word/Name | Greek |
| Meaning | Χριστόφορος (Christóphοros), 'Christ bearer' |
| Other names | |
| Related names | Chris, Christoph, Christy |
 |
Look up Christopher in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
Christopher (sometimes Kristoffer or Kristopher) is the English version of a Europe-wide name derived from the Greek name Χριστόφορος (Christóforos). The constituent parts are Χριστός (Christós), "Christ", and φέρειν (férein), "bear": the "Christ bearer" or "the one who bears Christ (in his soul)". The name originates in the Christian legend of St. Christopher.
As a given, or first name, Christopher has been in use since the 15th century. In Denmark the name was borne by three kings (their names are usually spelled Christoffer), and included the 15th-century Christopher of Bavaria who also ruled Norway and Sweden. In English, Christopher may be abbreviated as Chris. In female this name is also spelt Christine. The original feminine is Christophera.
It was frequently the most popular male first name in the United Kingdom, having been in the top twenty since the 1940s. However, the name is most common in England and not so common in Wales, Scotland or Ireland.[1]
Symbolism in the Americas [edit]
The name, frequently cited as religious and even zealous in nature, has transformed to modern popularity in part for historic figures. With the European exploration of the Americas following the navigation of Christopher Columbus, the name retained its reverent stature but allowed for its removal from purely religious uses and distinction. Throughout much of American culture thereafter, prominent Christophers reinforced this imagery of reverence divorced from religion, such as explorer Christopher "Kit" Carson, and actor Christopher Reeve.
The name Christopher has been translated and used in the same meaning (Christ bearer) in non-English languages.[citation needed]
Cognates in non-English languages [edit]
- Afrikaans: Christoffel, Christoforus
- Albanian: Christopher, Kristofer, Kristofor, Kristoforid, Kristoff
- Arabic: كريستوفر (Krīstafer)
- Aragonese: Cristofo
- Azerbaijani: Kristofer
- Armenian: Քրիստափոր (Christapor)
- Basque: Kristobal
- Belarusian: Крыстафер (Krystafier)
- Breton: Kristof
- Bulgarian: Христофор (Khristofor)
- Catalan: Cristòfor
- Chinese: 克里斯托弗 (Kèlǐsītuōfú)
- Corsican: Cristofanu
- Croatian: Kristofor
- Czech: Kryštof
- Danish: Christoffer, Kristoffer
- Dutch: Christoffel, Christoforus, Christophe
- Esperanto: Kristoforo
- Estonian: Christoph, Kittsi,
- Finnish: Kitts, Kristoffer
- Flemish: Christoffel
- French: Christophe
- Galician: Cristovo
- Genoese: Christoffa
- German: Christoph, Christof
- Georgian: ქრისტეფორე (K'ristep'ore)
- Greek: Χριστόφορος (Christóphoros)
- Haitian Creole: Kristòf
- Hindi: क्रिस्टोफर (Krisṭōphara)
- Hungarian: Kristóf
- Icelandic: Kristófer
- Irish: Críostóir
- Italian: Cristoforo
- Japanese: クリストファー (Kurisutofā)
- Kannada: ಕ್ರಿಸ್ಟೋಫರ್ (Krisṭōphar)
- Korean: 크리스토퍼 (Keuliseutopeo)
- Latin: Christopherus, Christophorus
- Latvian: Kristaps, Kristofers
- Lithuanian: Christopheris, Kristoforo, Kristupas, Kristupo
- Macedonian: Кристофер (Kristofer)
- Maltese: Kristofru
- Norwegian: Kristoffer
- Polish: Krzysztof
- Portuguese: Cristóvão
- Romanian: Hristofor
- Russian: Христофор (Khristofor)
- Sami: Doffá
- Sardinian: Cristolu
- Scottish Gaelic: Crìsdean
- Serbian: Кристофер (Kristofer)
- Slovak: Krištof
- Slovenian: Krištof
- Sorbian: Kito
- Spanish: Cristóbal
- Swahili: Gitte
- Swedish: Christoffer, Kristoffer (name day)
- Telugu: క్రిస్టోఫర్ (Krisṭōphar)
- Thai: คริสโตเฟอร์ (Kris to feʼr)
- Turkish: Kristof
- Ukrainian: Христофор (Khrystofor), Криштоф (Kryshtof)
- Venetian: Cristoforo
- Yiddish: טשריסטאָפער (Tşrystʼápʻr)
References [edit]
- ^ "Christopher - Meaning And Origin Of The Name Christopher". Baby Names UK. Text " BabyNames.co.uk " ignored (help)
