Cristiana is a female given name of Latin origin, derived from the masculine name Christianus. This name has been in use since the Middle Ages and was initially used for both boys and girls, although it became more popular as a girl's name over time.
The meaning of Cristiana is "follower of Christ." This name has strong religious connotations, reflecting its origins in the Latin word for Christian, which comes from the Greek word Christos, meaning "anointed one" or "messiah." The name was often given to children who were baptized and became members of the Christian faith.
One of the earliest known uses of Cristiana as a female name is in the works of the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. In his epic poem "The Divine Comedy," Dante refers to a woman named Cristiana, although it is unclear whether this character was based on a real person or if she was purely fictional.
Over time, Cristiana has been used in various forms across different languages and cultures. Some variants of the name include Cristina, Christiana, Christina, and Kristianne, among others. Despite its variations, the name Cristiana remains deeply rooted in its Latin origins and continues to be associated with Christian faith and spirituality.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Cristiana in the United States from 1962 to 2023. Over this 61-year period, there were a total of 912 babies named Cristiana.
The popularity of the name Cristiana has varied over time. In the early years, it was relatively uncommon, with only five births recorded in both 1962 and 1966. However, its usage began to increase in the late 1970s and early 1980s, reaching a peak of 38 births in both 2001 and 2002.
After this peak, the popularity of the name Cristiana started to decline gradually. Between 2005 and 2016, the number of births remained relatively stable, ranging from 14 to 34 each year. However, in recent years, there has been a further decrease in its usage, with only eight births recorded in 2022 and nine in 2023.
Despite this recent decline, Cristiana remains a unique and distinct name, with a rich history of usage in the United States. It is clear that while it may not be as popular as it once was, there continues to be a steady stream of parents who choose this name for their daughters.