Latin2 syllables#96 in the U.S.
Meaning: follower of Christ.
Christian
| Origin | Latin — Christianus, from Greek Christos, the anointed one |
|---|---|
| Meaning | "Follower of Christ". Greek christos translates the Hebrew mashiach, anointed |
| Pronunciation | KRIS-chun in English; KRIS-tyahn in Danish, Norwegian and German |
| Popularity | #96 in the U.S., and a long-standing standard across Scandinavia and Germany |
| Variants | Kristian, Cristian, Cristiano, Christiaan, Chrétien, Carsten, Krystian |
| Nicknames | Chris, Cris, Kris, Chrissy |
| Royal use | Ten kings of Denmark have been named Christian, and the current heir to the Danish throne carries the name |
History & meaning
The word came before the name. Acts records that the followers of Jesus at Antioch were the first to be called Christianoi, a Greek coinage built with a borrowed Latin suffix that marked whose side a person was on. Latin turned it into Christianus, and every European language took it from there. The root is Christos, Greek for the anointed one, itself a translation of the Hebrew mashiach. The name therefore describes an allegiance rather than a quality, which sets it slightly apart from most of the classics.
As a personal name it spread through medieval Europe and took particular hold in the Germanic and Scandinavian north. Denmark makes the case on its own: ten of its kings have been named Christian, from Christian I in the fifteenth century to Christian X, who reigned through both world wars, and the present heir to the throne carries the name again. English-speaking use stayed modest for centuries and then grew markedly in the later twentieth century. It ranks #96 in the U.S. today. Note that Christopher, "Christ-bearer", shares only the first element; the two are cousins, not variants.
Why parents choose it
It states a faith directly without borrowing a Bible character's biography, which suits families who want the meaning and not the namesake. Practically, it is formal on paper and shortens to Chris in one step, and it needs no adjustment in Danish, German, French or, as Cristian, Spanish. Parents who dislike Chris should know that it is very hard to prevent.
Middle names for Christian
The first name is long and soft-centred, so the middle should be firm: Christian Paul, Christian Frederik, Christian Neil, Christian Rowe. The middle names guide has more on avoiding a run of soft consonants.
Famous Christians
Christian Dior showed his first collection in 1947 and changed what postwar women wore. Christian Bale has won an Academy Award and remade his body for roles more times than is advisable. Christian Pulisic became the defining forward of his generation for the United States men's team. Hans Christian Andersen carried it as a middle name and made it Danish twice over.
Consider instead
Christopher is the older and longer of the pair, with the same Chris waiting inside it. Dominic makes a comparable statement in Latin, from dominicus, of the Lord, and is heard far less often. Gabriel keeps the religious register while giving you a specific figure behind the name.