Cristel
A feminine name of French origin meaning "follower of Christ".
Name Census estimates that about 967 living Americans carry the first name Cristel. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Cristel today is around 21 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Cristel births was 2011 (95 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Cristel. 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
967
~ 1 in 354,451 Americans
Peak year
2011
95 babies that year
Average age
21
years old
2024 SSA rank
#3,226
Tracked since 1930
Popularity
Cristel: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Cristel from the 1930s through to the 2020s, spanning 9 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 351 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Cristel remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Cristel 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 Cristel during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Cristels live
The SSA's state-level files cover 7 states and territories. Texas, California, New Jersey recorded the most babies named Cristel, while New York, Maryland, Georgia recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 27 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Cristel
The given name Cristel originates from the Latin language and has its roots in the name Christiana, which was derived from the Greek word "Christos" meaning "anointed one" or "the anointed." This name was initially associated with Christianity and was often given to individuals who embraced or exemplified Christian values and beliefs.
In the early centuries of the Christian era, the name Christiana was commonly used in various regions of the Roman Empire where Christianity had spread. As the religion gained prominence and adherents across Europe, the name evolved into various forms, including Cristel, which became particularly prevalent in certain Germanic and Scandinavian regions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cristel can be found in the Frankish kingdom during the 8th century, where it was borne by a noblewoman named Cristel of Austrasia. This historical figure was known for her piety and charitable works, which contributed to the name's association with virtuous and compassionate qualities.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Cristel maintained its popularity among various European noble families and religious communities. Notable individuals who bore this name include Cristel of Trier, a 12th-century German abbess renowned for her dedication to religious life and her leadership of the Trier Abbey.
In the Renaissance period, the name Cristel gained prominence in the arts and literature. One notable figure was Cristel Becker (1560-1630), a German painter and printmaker who achieved recognition for her intricate engravings and etchings depicting religious and mythological scenes.
During the 17th century, Cristel von Griesheim (1628-1682), a German botanist and naturalist, made significant contributions to the study of plants and their medicinal properties. Her extensive research and writings on herbal remedies were highly influential in her time.
The 19th century saw the emergence of Cristel Göring (1841-1902), a German writer and feminist activist who advocated for women's rights and educational opportunities. Her literary works explored themes of gender equality and societal reform, leaving a lasting impact on the feminist movement in Germany.
Throughout its long history, the name Cristel has carried connotations of faith, virtue, and a connection to the natural world. While its usage has evolved over time, it remains a enduring name that reflects a rich cultural heritage and a diverse range of influential individuals who have borne it.
People
Cristel + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Cristel 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
Cristel: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Cristel?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 967 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Cristel 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 354,451 US residents.
Is Cristel a common name?
We classify Cristel as "Very Rare". It ranks above 89.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,000 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Cristel most popular?
The single biggest year for Cristel was 2011, when 95 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Cristel is about 21 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Cristel a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Cristel 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.