Christopher
Filed Under Boy Names, Historical Christian Names | 7 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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7 Responses to “Christopher”
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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!
I was researching names and their christian meaning. My name is Christopher but I go by Chris. I just recently recommitted my life to Christ and I am working on building a strongh relationship with Him. I also write poetry and have being doing so off and on for that past 15 years. Lately I have started writing Christian poetry and also working on writing songs from my poetry. I talk to the Lord throughout the day for every day, and He gives me alot of inspiration for my writing. Some things I didn’t even know I had in me. God is good, all the time. My pastor’s wife prophesied over me several years ago to my wife and said that I would be a pastor someday. I really didn’t believe her at the time and I didn’t really know what to think of it until now. The Lord is working in my life in ways I never would have imagined, and now I believe that is a great sign of confirmation of what she said about me. Thank you for reading and God bless you.
I LOVED THE STORY AS WELL. MY SON’S NAME IS SPELLED, K R I S T O F F E R. HE HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH AWFUL TEASING AT SCHOOL. I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO GIVE HIM MORE CONFIDENCE AND BE PROUD OF WHO GOD CREATED HIM TO BE.
THANK YOU !!! IS THERE A SCRIPTURE REFERENCE FOR THIS NAME?
This is a beautiful piece! I was just contacted lately to share my opinion and give consent to naming my little cousin “Christopher”. He was born in December and in less than 13 days before Xmas. I love this name. Thanks for your great job here!
I absolutely love the name “christopher” it is my son’s name and I love him very dearly he is 2 years old and he is so silly.
Thanks,I’ve always wanted to know the meaning and origin of my name. And it came at the right time, just after I produced my first CD ( album ), so I used ” CHRIST BEARER” as my name.