Christian is a male given name of Latin origin that comes from the word "christianos," which means "followers of Christ." The name Christian has been used for centuries and was popularized in the Middle Ages through the works of the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, who featured a character named Cristiano in his epic poem "The Divine Comedy."
In many languages, including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and German, the name Christian is derived from the Latin word "christianos," which itself comes from the Greek word "christianoi." These words were used to describe followers of Jesus Christ, or Christians, during the early Christian era.
The name Christian has been associated with various notable figures throughout history. Some examples include Saint Christian, who was a French bishop and martyr in the 3rd century; Christian IV, who was the King of Denmark from 1588 until his death in 1648; and Christian VII, who was also the King of Denmark from 1766 until his death in 1808.
Today, Christian remains a popular name for boys in many countries around the world. It is often shortened to Chris or Kris as a nickname, and its female equivalent is Christina or Christine. The name has been immortalized in popular culture through various characters in books, movies, and television shows, such as Christian Grey from the "Fifty Shades of Grey" series by E.L. James. However, regardless of its popularity or cultural references, the name Christian retains its profound meaning and historical significance as a name that signifies faith and devotion to Christ.
The name Christian has been popular among parents in the United States for over a century, with its first recorded instance of being given to five babies in 1886. However, it was not until the mid-20th century that the name began to gain significant traction.
Between 1947 and 1959, there were an average of 13 births per year for boys named Christian. This number started to increase steadily throughout the 1960s, with a total of 43 births recorded in 1963 alone. The 1970s saw even more popularity for the name, with over 250 births each year between 1973 and 1980.
The 1980s marked a significant turning point for Christian as it became one of the most popular names in America. In 1980, there were 358 births recorded, which increased to 863 by 1990 - an all-time high at that point. This trend continued into the early 1990s with over 900 births annually between 1991 and 1993.
However, as quickly as it rose in popularity, Christian's prevalence began to decline towards the end of the century. By 2005, there were only 219 boys named Christian born in America each year. This downward trend has persisted into recent years, with just 39 births recorded in 2023.
Overall, since 1886 when records began being kept, over 19,800 babies have been named Christian in the United States. While it may not be as popular today as it once was, the name Christian remains a classic choice for parents looking to give their child a strong and timeless moniker.