Christopher \ch-risto-pher, chr(is)-topher\ as a boy's name is pronounced KRIS-toh-fer. It is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Christopher is "bearing Christ". From Khristophoros. Popular among early Christians. The legend of Saint Christopher as the patron saint of travelers grew from the story of a giant who made his living carrying people across a river. According to the legend, one day he carried across a child whom he discovered was actually Christ. Revived in the 1940s by the popularity of A.A. Milne's "Winnie the Pooh", whose human hero is called Christopher Robin. Christofer and Christoffer are German forms. Christophe (kris-TAWF) is French. Explorer Christopher Columbus; actors Christopher Plummer, Christopher Reeve; architect Christopher Wren.

Christopher has 32 variant forms: Chris, Christie, Christof, Christofer, Christoffer, Christoforo, Christoforus, Christoph, Christophe, Christophoros, Christos, Cris, Cristobal, Cristofer, Cristoforo, Cristovano, Kester, Kit, Kitt, Kris, Kriss, Kristo, Kristofel, Kristofer, Kristoffer, Kristofor, Kristoforos, Kristos, Krzysztof, Stoffel, Tobal and Topher.

For more information, see also the related name Kristopher.

Baby names that sound like Christopher are Cristopher and Khristopher.