indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Gender Feminine
Meaning & History
Alemannic variant of Christiana recorded in medieval German-speaking Switzerland. This name was occasionally used in honor of Saint Chrischona, particularly in the Swiss city of Basel.
According to legend, Saint Chrischona accompanied Saint Ursula and the bishop Saint Pantalus on a pilgrimage to Rome. One version of the legend has her fall ill and die upon her return to Switzerland; she was then buried on the hill Dinkelberg, known today as "St. Chrischona", not far from Basel.
In another version, the pilgrims are attacked by the Huns on their way home. When Saint Pantalus is killed, Chrischona and her sisters Margaretha and Ottilia escape. Each of the sisters moves on one of the three hills bordering Basel and builds a chapel on the hilltop. They preach the gospel and convert the pagan townsfolk to Christianity, leading by example by living virtuous lives.
According to legend, Saint Chrischona accompanied Saint Ursula and the bishop Saint Pantalus on a pilgrimage to Rome. One version of the legend has her fall ill and die upon her return to Switzerland; she was then buried on the hill Dinkelberg, known today as "St. Chrischona", not far from Basel.
In another version, the pilgrims are attacked by the Huns on their way home. When Saint Pantalus is killed, Chrischona and her sisters Margaretha and Ottilia escape. Each of the sisters moves on one of the three hills bordering Basel and builds a chapel on the hilltop. They preach the gospel and convert the pagan townsfolk to Christianity, leading by example by living virtuous lives.