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For other uses, see Christopher (disambiguation).
Gender Male
Word/Name Greek
Meaning Χριστόφορος (Christóphοros), 'Christ-bearer'
Other names
Related names Chris, Christoph, Christy

Christopher 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"

As a given, or first name, Christopher has been in use since the 10th 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' or 'Kit', the latter the more common abbreviation until the later 20th century.

It was frequently the most popular male first name in the United Kingdom, having been in the top twenty in England and Wales from the 1940s until 1995, although it has since dropped out of the top 100. The name is most common in England and not so common in Wales, Scotland or Ireland.[1]

People with the name[edit]

Cognates in non-English languages[edit]

[citation needed]*Afrikaans: Christoffel, Christoforus