Christine

📖 About Christine

Christine is the French form of the Latin Christina, derived from the Greek "Christos" (Χριστός) meaning "anointed one" — making Christine literally "a female follower of Christ" or "anointed woman." The name gained early Christian currency through several martyred saints, most prominently Saint Christina of Bolsena (3rd century). Christine became the standard French form and spread throughout Europe via French cultural influence, becoming equally established in English and German. In Australia, Christine achieved a stunning dominance, ranking number 1 in 1952 and 1953 with over 1,300 babies annually, holding the top 2-3 position through the mid-1950s, and remaining in the top 10 through 1960. It continued as a top-50 name well into the 1980s before gradually fading. In France, the name was even more spectacular — entering the top 10 in 1955 and peaking around rank 3-5 from 1960 to 1965 with over 15,000 babies named Christine annually, numbers that dwarf most modern popular names. In Germany, it reached rank 2 in 1990 and rank 3 in 1980. Christine also permeated Scandinavian culture through queens like Christine of Denmark. The name saturated Western popular culture — Stephen King's Christine (1983), the Phantom of the Opera's Christine Daaé, and countless film and television characters. Christine represents the quintessential mid-century international feminine name: French in form, Greek in origin, Christian in meaning, and universal in appeal.

📊 Popularity Over Time