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Christian

♂ Boy

Pronounced KRIS-chun /ˈkrɪs.tʃən/High

Meaning: Follower of Christ; a Christian person — from Latin Christianus, Greek ChristianosHigh

In 30 seconds: A devout Latin name simply meaning 'a follower of Christ.' Borne by Danish kings and the hero of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, it has been a steady English-speaking classic for centuries.
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Origin HighLatin, Greek
MeaningFollower of Christ; a Christian person — from Latin Christianus, Greek Christianos
Peak year2000
Total births (all-time)≈ 414,880

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200018802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Christian derives from the Latin Christianus and Greek Christianos, meaning 'follower of Christ.' It has been used as a name since the early Christian era and became widespread through Europe during the Middle Ages.

The name was borne by ten Danish kings named Christian. In the English-speaking world it was popularized by Bunyan's allegory and has remained a top-100 U.S. boys' name throughout the modern era.

Did you know? John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress (1678), one of the best-selling books in English history, features a protagonist named simply 'Christian.'

Variations

ChristianoKristianCristianKrzysztof

Nicknames

ChrisCrisChristie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875)
    Danish author famous for fairy tales including The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.

If you like Christian…

Christopher— shares the same Christ-root origin and timeless religious identity
Nathaniel— long Biblical classic with the same dignified, full-name gravitas
Sebastian— multi-syllable saint's name with the same classic European feel
Nicholas— Greek-origin saint's name with the same reliable, enduring character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Christian mean?

Christian comes from the Latin Christianus, meaning 'a follower of Christ' or 'a Christian person.'

How do you pronounce Christian?

It is said KRIS-chun /ˈkrɪs.tʃən/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Christian a boy or girl name?

Christian is primarily a boy's name; Christiana and Christine are the main feminine forms.

How popular is Christian?

Christian has been a consistent U.S. top-100 boys' name for decades.