Christopher
Filed Under Boy Names, Historical Christian Names | 2 Comments
Name pronunciation: KRIS-to-fur
Origin of name: Greek
Meaning of name: bearing Christ, carrier of the Anointed One
The Story Behind This Historical Christian Baby Name
There are several legends attributed to St. Christopher, but almost no factual or historical records for the original “Saint”. The legends say Christopher was a giant Canaanite (18 feet tall), originally named Reprobus, who was looking to serve the mightiest king of all. So he served a Canaanite king for a while, but then noticed the king acted afraid at the mention of the devil. So he went looking for the devil and found a bandit who called himself the devil. However, Christopher noticed that the bandit would avoid crosses, and discovered he was afraid of Jesus Christ.
After asking around where he might find this Christ, Christopher found a hermit who instructed him about the ways of Christianity. Christopher decided to serve God by helping people across a dangerous river, where people often died trying to cross. One day a child asked for help to cross when the river was high with floodwaters. Christopher attempted the crossing, and found the child to be far more heavy than he looked.
He finally made it to the other side, and told the child, “You were so heavy! It was as if I carried the whole world across the river!”
And the child replied, “You didn’t carry the world, but the maker of it,” and revealed himself to be Christ in disguise.
St. Christopher Carrying the Christ Child, by Hieronymus Bosch, 1480-1490.
Thus, the name Christophoros, or “bearer of Christ”. And thus, the common reference to Christopher as the “patron saint of travelers”.
Later, the story goes, Christopher visited the city of Lycia and comforted persecuted Christians there and preached the gospel, converting thousands. The pagan king tried to stop him by tempting him with riches and even sent two women to lure him into sin. But he converted the two prostitutes to Christianity, and the king finally had him captured and beheaded. Thus, his status as a martyr.
Variations of the baby name Christopher
Boy names: Christ, Chris, Christoph, Cristopher, Cristoff
Girl names:Christie,Christina, Christine,Christophia, Christi, Chris
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Soon it will be my son Christopher’s 25th birthday. I was looking for something about his name that really expressed the way I know him to be. This legend may be just that; a legend, however it describes Christopher to a tee! He carries Christ in his heart and is always carrying many through the troubled storms of their lives. Thank you for this beautiful story of my son’s life.
Mary, I’m so glad this information blessed you!