Christopher
Peaked at #2 nationally in 1972, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Christopher has been recorded <1% of the time for girls and >99% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Christopher comes from the Greek "Christophoros," formed from "Christos" (Christ) and "pherein" (to bear), meaning "bearer of Christ." The name is tied to the legend of Saint Christopher, said to have carried the Christ child across a river, and it became popular in Christian Europe through his veneration as a patron of travelers.
Notable people & culture
Explorer Christopher Columbus made the name famous well beyond religious circles, and it has since been carried by filmmaker Christopher Nolan, actor Christopher Walken, and the late Christopher Reeve, known for playing Superman. Common shortened forms include Chris, Kit, and Topher.
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Christopher — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#476
in 1983
Last ranked
#13793
in 2023
Years tracked
85
1938–2023
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1938, Christopher reached its peak popularity for girls in 1983, ranking #476 nationally with 418 babies given the name that year.
Christopher hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for girls since 2023, when it stood at #13793.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | #13,793 | 6 |
| 2022 | #15,807 | 5 |
| 2021 | #9,095 | 11 |
| 2020 | #9,066 | 11 |
| 2019 | #16,051 | 5 |
| 2018 | #10,749 | 9 |
| 2016 | #8,492 | 13 |
| 2015 | #7,707 | 15 |
Christopher — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#2
in 1972
Current rank
#61
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Christopher reached its peak popularity for boys in 1972, ranking #2 nationally with 52,173 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #30 (2014) to #61 (2024) — a 51% drop.
As of 2024, Christopher ranks #61 nationally for boys, with 5,054 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #61 | 5,054 |
| 2023 | #55 | 5,191 |
| 2022 | #55 | 5,579 |
| 2021 | #52 | 5,856 |
| 2020 | #47 | 6,213 |
| 2019 | #44 | 7,015 |
| 2018 | #42 | 7,333 |
| 2017 | #39 | 8,315 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — boys' names only.
Common Questions
When was Christopher most popular?
Christopher was most popular in 1972, when it ranked #2 nationally for boys — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Christopher becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Christopher?
At least 2,074,303 babies have been recorded with the name Christopher in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Christopher? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.