Christopher

Christopher comes from the Late Latin Christophorus, itself from the Greek Christophoros, meaning "bearing Christ," formed from Christos (Christ) and phero (to bear or carry). The name was popularized in medieval Europe through the legend of Saint Christopher, a giant who carried the Christ child across a river, making him the patron saint of travelers. It became one of the most widely used names in the English-speaking world from the Middle Ages onward, bolstered by figures such as the explorer Christopher Columbus and playwright Christopher Marlowe. Related forms include Cristopher, Kristopher, and the short forms Chris and Kit, as well as cognates Christoph in German, Cristóbal in Spanish, and Christophe in French.