The story behind Christopher
From Late Latin Christophorus, from Koine Greek Χρῑστόφορος (Khrīstóphoros, “carrier of Christ”), from Ancient Greek Χριστός (Khristós, “Christ”) + φόρος (phóros, “carrier, bearer”), from φέρειν (phérein, “to carry, to bear”) + -ος (-os, “-er: forming agent nouns”), from the legend of Saint Christopher carrying the infant Jesus across a river.
Other language forms and explanations (2)
French entry
Borrowed from English Christopher, as a variant of the standard French Christophe.
Portuguese entry
Unadapted borrowing from English Christopher. Doublet of Cristóvão and Cristóforo.
Pronunciation
General-American: /ˈkɹɪs.tə.fɚ/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Received-Pronunciation: /ˈkɹɪs.tə.fə/
- French: /kʁis.tɔ.fɛʁ/
- Portuguese; Brazil: /ˈkɾis.to.feʁ/
- Portuguese; Brazil: [ˈkɾis.to.feh]
- Portuguese; São-Paulo: /ˈkɾis.to.feɾ/
- Portuguese; Rio-de-Janeiro: /ˈkɾiʃ.to.feʁ/
- Portuguese; Rio-de-Janeiro: [ˈkɾiʃ.to.feχ]
- Portuguese; Caipira: /ˈkɾis.to.feɻ/
Popularity
Christopher ranked #68 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Christopher
Cassander
From κέκασμαι (kékasmai, “to shine; excel over”) and ἀνήρ (anḗr, “man”). In turn, the name means "one who excels over man."
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- same syllable count
- similar length
Cristopher
Borrowed from English Christopher. Doublet of Cristóbal.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- same syllable count
- similar length
Dzsenifer
From English Jennifer, from Cornish.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- same syllable count
- similar length
Kristopher
A male given name from Ancient Greek of modern usage, a rare spelling variant of Christopher.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- same syllable count
- similar length
Krīstūfar
a male given name from Ancient Greek, equivalent to English Christopher
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- same syllable count
- similar length
Krzysztofor
Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek Χριστόφορος (Khristóphoros), from Χριστός (Khristós, “messiah”) + φέρω (phérō, “I carry, I bear”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Christopher
Abdiasz
Learned borrowing from Latin Abdias, from Ancient Greek Ἀβδίας (Abdías), from Hebrew עובדיה.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Z
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Achille
Borrowed from Latin Achilles.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Achilles
Borrowed from Latin Achillēs, from Ancient Greek Ἀχιλλεύς (Akhilleús). Learned borrowing from Latin Achillēs. Doublet of Achil.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Christopher
Acropolistis
From Ancient Greek ἀκρόπολις (akrópolis, “acropolis”) + -τις (-tis, feminine denominative adjective suffix), literally “woman of the acropolis”.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 5 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adimantus
Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἀδείμαντος (Adeímantos).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Aeschylus
Learned borrowing from Latin Aeschylus, from Ancient Greek Αἰσχύλος (Aiskhúlos).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length