Cristina is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word "Christus," which means "anointed one" or "follower of Christ." The name was initially used as a title for Jesus Christ and later became a personal name.
The name Cristina gained popularity during the Middle Ages in Europe, particularly in Spain and Italy, where it was often used to honor the Christian faith. In some cases, the name was also given to girls born on Christmas Day or to those who were baptized on that day.
Over time, variations of the name Cristina have emerged in different cultures. Some common variants include Christina, Christine, Cristina, and Kris. Despite these variations, the core meaning of the name remains the same: it represents a connection to the Christian faith and tradition.
Today, Cristina is still widely used as a given name for girls around the world. It is often associated with qualities such as strength, courage, and devotion, although these traits are not inherent to the name itself but rather reflect cultural perceptions of what it means to be named Cristina. Ultimately, the significance of the name Cristina lies in its historical and religious roots, which continue to influence its use today.
Based on these statistics, the name Cristina experienced significant popularity growth starting around 1964 and peaked in the late 1970s to early 1980s, with over 1700 births each year from 1986 to 1992. However, since the mid-1990s, there has been a steady decline in popularity, reaching a total of only 148 births in 2022.