Find out how popular the first name Kristoper has been for the last 11 years (from 1978 to 1988) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kristoper by gender

Based on the last 11 years of data, Kristoper is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1988, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kristoper.

The history of the first name Kristoper

The given name Kristoper has its origins in the Late Greek name Χριστόφορος (Khristophoros), which means "Christ-bearer". This name was originally derived from the words Χριστός (Khristos) meaning "Christ" and φέρω (phero) meaning "to bear or carry".

The name Kristoper emerged as a variant spelling in several Germanic languages, including Old English, Old Norse, and Old High German. It spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly in regions that had been part of the Roman Empire and adopted Christianity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kristoper can be found in the 7th-century Ecclesiastical History of the English People by the Venerable Bede. In this work, Bede mentions a Northumbrian priest named Christophorus, which is the Latin form of the name.

The name gained popularity due to the legend of Saint Christopher, a Christian martyr who is believed to have lived in the 3rd century AD. According to tradition, he was a giant who carried a child across a river, only to discover later that the child was the Christ Child bearing the weight of the world.

Notable historical figures named Kristoper include Kristoper Kolumbus (better known as Christopher Columbus), the famous Italian explorer who made four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean in the late 15th century, leading to the Spanish colonization of the Americas.

Another famous bearer of the name was Kristoper Marlowe, an English playwright, poet, and translator of the Elizabethan era, born in 1564 and known for his influential works such as "The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus" and "The Jew of Malta".

In the 17th century, Kristoper Wren was an English architect, astronomer, and mathematician who designed numerous buildings, including the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral in London, after the Great Fire of 1666.

Kristoper Smart, an English poet and translator, lived from 1722 to 1771 and is best known for his highly influential translation of Horace's works and his own poetic works, including "A Song to David".

Lastly, Kristoper Isherwood was a British-American novelist, playwright, and memoirist of the 20th century, born in 1904. He is renowned for his semi-autobiographical works set in Berlin during the Weimar Republic, such as "Goodbye to Berlin" and "Mr. Norris Changes Trains".

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kristoper was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kristoper, please contact us.

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