A male name. (Latin Christopherus, French Christophe, Italian Cristoforo, Spanish Cristoval, Cristobal, German Christoph): Greek Χριστοφόρος, ‘bearing Christ’. It was originally a word applied by Christians to themselves, meaning that they bore Christ in their hearts; but in time there arose a legend of a gigantic saint who carried the Christ-child across a river, and Christopher became an ordinary christian name. The sight of the image of St Christopher was thought to be a protection from accidents and sudden death for the rest of the day (‘Illo nempe die morte mala non morieris, Cristoferi sancti speciem quicumque tueris’), and it was therefore often depicted on the outside of houses and churches in Italy, Spain, and Germany. In England St Christopher was, for the same reason, one of the commonest subjects for mural paintings inside churches. Always the patron of travellers, St Christopher is now in Roman Catholic countries regarded as being the particular protector of motorists. C. W. Bardsley, Dictionary of English and WelshSurnames (pub. 1901)’s earliest example of the name in England is of the 14th C, and he says he found none in the Hundred Rolls of 1273. There are, however, examples of the name in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1201, 1220, but it is certainly uncommon until the 15th C when it becomes much more frequent (examples are Christofre Crease 1450, Crysteffor Johnson 1491, Christouer Hobye 1483). From the 16th C to the end of the 18th C the name was in fairly general use, often abbreviated to Kester, Kit, or Chris. It suffered an eclipse in the 19th C, and Charlotte Mary Yonge, History of ChristianNames, 2 vols. 1863. Revised ed. 1884 speaks as though it were little used in her time, but it has had a great revival in the present century.

Christopherus Curia Regis Rolls 1201-3, 1220. Cristoforus Poll Tax of West Riding of Yorkshire 1379 1379. Cristofre 14th-C Legendary, Lincoln Diocese Documents (E.E.T.S. 149) 1450. Christofur Records of St. Mary at Hill, 1420-1559 (E.E.T.S. 125-8) 1513.

In Greek, literally ‘Christ-bearer’. The St. Christopher of legend, and the actual martyr to a less degree, popularised the name.

From the Greek name Χριστοφορος, signifying Christ’s bearer or carrier (φερω, to bear). The nickname is Kit.

Greek (masculine) - Christ-bearer.

A Greek name, meaning: Christ-bearer.