Christol
A feminine given name derived from the word "Christ", of Greek origin signifying "anointed one".
Name Census estimates that about 220 living Americans carry the first name Christol. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Christol today is around 49 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Christol births was 1979 (20 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Christol. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
220
~ 1 in 1,557,974 Americans
Peak year
1979
20 babies that year
Average age
49
years old
1994 SSA rank
#13,868
Tracked since 1958
Popularity
Christol: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Christol from the 1950s through to the 1990s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 116 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1970s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Christol by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Christol during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Christols live
Origin
Meaning and history of Christol
The given name Christol has its origins in the Romance languages, derived from the Latin name Christophorus, which means "Christ-bearer" or "bearer of Christ." This name was initially adopted by early Christians as a way to honor and commemorate the story of Saint Christopher, a legendary figure who is said to have carried the Christ child across a river.
During the early centuries of Christianity, the name Christophorus gained widespread popularity across Europe and the Mediterranean region. It was often associated with strength, courage, and protection, as Saint Christopher was venerated as the patron saint of travelers and those seeking safe passage.
In the Middle Ages, the name underwent various changes and adaptations as it spread across different regions and languages. One such variation was the French form "Christol," which emerged as a diminutive or shortened version of the original Latin name.
Historical records show that the name Christol was particularly prevalent in certain areas of France, such as the regions of Languedoc and Provence. It was commonly used among French-speaking populations, and its usage can be traced back to the 12th and 13th centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Christol can be found in the writings of the renowned French troubadour and poet, Arnaut Daniel, who lived in the late 12th century. He mentions a person named Christol in one of his poems, indicating the name's presence during that era.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Christol, although their fame and impact may have varied across different regions and time periods. Among them are:
1. Christol de Peyrole (1270-1345), a French nobleman and military commander who fought in the Hundred Years' War.
2. Christol de Grignan (1530-1595), a French Catholic prelate who served as the Bishop of Uzès.
3. Christol de Baville (1642-1711), a French lawyer and statesman who held the position of Intendant of Languedoc.
4. Christol de Rame (1790-1856), a French painter and engraver known for his landscapes and architectural depictions.
5. Christol de Sade (1810-1876), a French writer and poet who was a descendant of the famous Marquis de Sade.
While the name Christol may have experienced periods of greater or lesser popularity across different regions and cultures, its historical significance lies in its connection to the early Christian tradition and the veneration of Saint Christopher, a figure deeply rooted in the spiritual and cultural fabric of Europe.
People
Christol + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Christol as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Christol: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Christol?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 220 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Christol going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,557,974 US residents.
Is Christol a common name?
We classify Christol as "Very Rare". It ranks above 75.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 243 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Christol most popular?
The single biggest year for Christol was 1979, when 20 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Christol is about 49 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Christol a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Christol in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.