What Does the Name Christopher Mean?
Christopher is a boy's name of Greek origin meaning “bearing Christ.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Christopher |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Greek |
| Meaning | bearing Christ |
| Variants | Chris, Kit, Cristopher, Christophe |
| Popularity | A US top 5 boys' name through the 1970s-1990s. |
The meaning and origin of Christopher
The name Christopher means “bearing Christ” and has Greek origins. From the Greek Christophoros (Christ-bearer), borne by Saint Christopher, patron saint of travelers. A staple English name since the late Middle Ages.
Variants and related names
Christopher is related to several other names you may recognize: Chris, Kit, Cristopher, Christophe. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Christopher?
A US top 5 boys' name through the 1970s-1990s.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Christopher mean?+
The name Christopher means “bearing Christ” and is of Greek origin.
What is the origin of the name Christopher?+
Christopher originates from Greek.
Is Christopher a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Christopher has trended in the US over time.
Christopher by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press