Christian

I really like it and think it works well as a name. It sounds fancy and intelligent. My only objection is that is the word for someone following a specific religion, which I don't follow, so it's not something for me personally.

Honestly, I think Christian works as a name. If words weren’t allowed as names then names like Grace, Hope, Joy or some other names that are words wouldn’t be allowed, so why are we fighting over a name that’s a word?

My ancestor came to the United States from Germany during the time of the American Revolutionary War. His name was, quite literally, Christian Bible. I think this is such a cool name because he helped contribute to the American Revolution.

It's not an inherently bad name, but I personally dislike it because of bad personal connections.

I chose this name for my son twenty years ago. I still love it and there was only one other Christian in his grade of 300 kids, so it was on the rarer side while still being a classic name. But depending where you live, you will meet bigoted people who don't like it strictly because of the religious connection. Unfortunate, but my son has learned to be empathetic to those who judge him before knowing him. He hates being called Chris. One nickname possibility that is on the rarer side is to take the last three letters and turn it into Ian. He briefly considered this option when he went to college and decided against it, since he likes his name, but I still find that option a more appealing nickname than Chris.

Boring, and every Christian that I met did not display the meaning of this name at all. Use Chris or Christopher, don't name your child after what religion they are.
Also don't use this name if your last name ends with -man, example, Christian Goodman.
Edit: What if little Christian becomes an atheist later in life? Or changes religions?

I think that it’s the name for a religion only.

Christian is the nicest name in the world. Every Christian I have met has been very nice.

I think Christian is a good name. It's so kind, nice and cool. It maybe has a nickname of Chris.

Absolutely handsome :D.

My name is Christian, and I'm an atheist. I'm very happy with my name, it being associated with a religion I'm not a part of doesn't bother me. I've never met another boy named Christian, but I went to school with a girl named Christian. Hate when people randomly shorten it to Chris though.

Very nice.

I really love Christian Bale, and I would like to name my future baby Christian (no matter boy or girl).

Too religious/biblical sounding. I wouldn’t name my child Muslim or Buddhist etc.

Such a handsome name! Love the meaning too.

I don't get the hate for Christian, yet there is love for Genesis? I think it's actually quite a handsome & timeless name. Again, Genesis is popular right now & nobody bats an eye on the meaning. My last name is a variation of Christian & I plan to use it on my son Cristian/Christian or my daughter Cristiana/Christiana since the family last name will end with me.

Doesn't work out if you kid ends up being an atheist though.

I knew a man with the name Christian. But he was an evil Satanist. How hilarious!

I am Christian but I am an atheist.

My son's name is Christian and it has never caused him a problem. Most people tend to love the name, associated as it is with handsome actors and characters. However, he recently turned 18 and I knew he would encounter more bigoted people who make snap judgments (much like the many comments here) and I've told him he could go by the last three letters, Ian, if the name is a problem for him in the future. He likes his name and plans to stick with it and said if anyone judges him for it, they're not worth his time anyway. I couldn't agree more.

Very classic and handsome. One of my favorites. You don't have to be a Christian in the strictest sense of the word in order to rock this name.

Wow, it can be feminine too? All Christians I've met were boys, so it doesn't sound feminine to me - not one bit. Use Christine on a girl instead and leave Christian to boys.

This is a really sweet name. I don't find it "pushy" whatsoever, it's just a name for Heaven's sake!

OMG why so much hate on this name? Maybe it's because I'm not American, but neither in Spanish nor in Argentina, where I live, would we ever give so much hate to such a cool name. We sincerely don't care at all about the religion of the bearers. I mean, maybe besides an occasional joke if you'd happen to become Jewish or any other religion, but here we're all basically irreligious (while formally being catholic). Sometimes I don't get English-speakers...

I think Christian is a truly wonderful name. I don't think it's too pushy or forceful at all. I think the meaning “follower of Christ” is absolutely beautiful. Jesus Christ lived an incredibly admirable life, courageously sacrificed Himself and set an amazing example for everyone. That being said, even if someone with the name Christian isn't a follower of Christ, it's still a good name, because Christ is still good. He always has been and always will be.
Overall, I think Christian is a great, strong powerful name.

I’d love to meet an atheist named Christian.

The sound of the name is fine, but the meaning is terrible. Giving this name to your child is placing a burden on him all his life. If he ever decides not to be Christian, he is stuck with a name that doesn't reflect his religion -- and even if he doesn't, everyone will know/assume his religion as soon as they meet him. At least other Biblical names are a bit subtler. If you really want to give your child a religious name, why not pick something a little more inspired?

I'm a Christian. (Not my first name, it's my religion.)
If I were born a girl, my name would've been Christian Nicole (I don't like Nicole)
I prefer Christine for a girl, and I plan to name my daughter Christine.
For a boy, I think this is better than Christopher.

A strong, masculine name with a wonderful meaning and association.

I chose this name for my first born in '99. I thought the name was masculine yet gentle. It wasn't too heavy like a lot of male names are. It also has a bit of dashing sensuousness to it.

Cool name.

That's basically like saying, "Hi, this is my daughter Catholic and my son Jew. Their cousin Buddhist is staying over tonight as well."

I think Christian is a nice name for a a boy it sounds handsome but I hate it to be short to Chris.

I would never use this name. It sounds a bit tacky to me, plus I'm Jewish. Haha, albeit there are some very hot men who have it... *cough cough* Christian Bale *cough cough*

My crush is named this. He is exactly what the name states.

I love the name. Agree with some users above; it sounds gentle, masculine, handsome and heroic. I wouldn't want it to be shortened to Chris.

Christian is so handsome on a male. One of my favourites. Can’t see it on a girl at all.

No it's not ironic at all. The one that chooses and puts the name of the creature is their parents, therefore there is absolutely nothing ironic.

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It's a great name.

I'm an atheist myself, but this isn't a bad name like those anti-religious users said above. I wouldn't use it personally, but if another parent wants to name their child this, go right ahead. I wouldn't like it on a female, though.

Having the name Christian and being an atheist is very ironic...

I'm about to legally change this as my middle name. My family is Christian, but I am not and it's just something that isn't a fit for me to have the name because it was given to me as the intended religious meaning (follower of Christ). So... before you name your child this based on your religious beliefs just consider they may grow up to have different beliefs and it might bother them knowing this is why they bear the name. I have nothing against Christianity, nor anyone who has the beliefs... I just am not one of them and it feels more like a false label for me. Consider if your parents named you Buddha or something you had no belief in. (I get this would be a stretch in the western world for the most part, but still) It would bother you to some extent.

An Aunt of mine recently informed me that when she was expecting her first during the 80's, the name Christian was heavily on her mind. She admitted that she thought for certain that his name was going to be that but changed her mind shortly after his birth because to her, he didn't look like the name, apparently. Not something I would do. I would pick whatever name and have the child "grow" into it if need be.
Anyways, my Aunt is not religious. Her choice of nearly selecting it was out of pure admiration. She just simply liked the name.
I believe anyone can use this name. It doesn't make the parents or the child bible thumpers.

Wow. With so many comments about Christian being a girl's name, I wouldn't be surprised to hear about girls called Albert, Alexander, Jacob, Robert or Matthew. What's wrong with feminine names, I wonder?

This is an okay name, but I prefer the name Christopher.

Christian. I believe the title Christian was used after Christ (the Anointed) left earth after 40 days following His resurrection. It was likely applied by people who heard Christ Jesus' followers referred to themselves as Christ In... Paul states this fact in the Bible verse Galatians 2:20... it is no longer I who live (spiritually) but Christ Jesus Who lives in me. So as the "believers" were seen, people would refer to them as, "Here come those Christ-ins." Which later became extended to mean all believers in Christ Jesus & what He achieved... thus the word/title Christians.
Unfortunately, today using the title Christian is often incorrect, as Jesus gave a command in John 3:3... You must be born again (spiritually)... a new spiritual creation... unfortunately, many, many "believers" today are not born again (of God's Spirit).

I always find it funny when I meet an atheist or agnostic person named Christian. It's kind of like the name Genesis in that I find most people I meet named Christian come from extremely religious families, but strangely is unlike Genesis in that a lot of people named this don't seem to be religious themselves. I admit I generally feel a bit wary around people called Christian, due to my negative experiences with the Christian religion, but I've met plenty of guys called Christian that have proven me to be wrong in that wariness. Other than the religious connotations, it's not a bad sounding name. I can see it on a grown man or a child, and while I find it kind of boring, it's not as boring as, say, John or Michael. I dislike the nickname Chris, though.

Great name! Don't listen to any of the anti-Christians above me.

I have never seen so many fellow atheists on one forum. I agree with most of them. It seems kind of stupid to name your kid the name of a religion.

As an atheist, I think this name is stupid and sounds like the name of the kid of some sexist fundamentalist Christian minister.

Christian is a very handsome name! This name is just as nice as the name Christopher. :) Christian is such a wonderful, strong, classic. :)

I'm not really so sure I like this name, it reminds me way too much of the religion and I'm not very religious at all.

I am a 27 year old female named Christian. I hated my name as a child. They always made me go by Chrissy when a boy had the same name in my class and I was always second guessed on my name. As an older teenager, I grew to love my name. I will always receive lame comments when I give my name such as "are you a Christian" or " hi I'm jewish." I realize people are generic in small talk. I love my name and I have no religion in my heart despite being raised Christian. When asked why she named me a boys name, my mother, who has 8 kids simply said "Oh, I never thought of it as a boy's name." All I could say was "Fair enough." I am elated every time I meet a girl named Christian because it has only happened twice. They are just as joyous when meeting me. We share every corny joke. I like my common, yet distinct name. It's simple. Yet, people are surprised. I love masculine names on a female.

To me, it always seemed that parents who name a son Christian are trying too hard to prove to the world (or to themselves?) that they're Christians. It's just not a very subtle name, and of course it's awkward if the child grows up to practice a non-Christian religion such as Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, etc. It also seems a bit funny when you consider that Jewish parents would never name their son Jew, Buddhist parents would never name their son Buddhist, and so on. Choosing this name just seems like a holier-than-thou ploy on the part of the parents at their child's expense, and it implies that they don't want their son to think for himself and possibly (horrors!) choose to follow a different religion or no religion.

This name literally means "A Christian" Are you kidding me? This has got to be the most unoriginal name on the freaking planet.

Forget the fact that you'd be giving your son a name that's also his religion, am I the only person that finds this name really boring?

I absolutely love this name! It is a name I have picked for a son someday. I have never met a Christian. The only downside to this name is Christian Grey...

I've never heard the name Christian as a girls name in Germany! Not in 30 years! Girls are usually called Christine, Christina, Christiane and Christin but not the male form Christian. Apart from that, I don't like this name, it doesn't sound nice to my ears. In my opinion, the most biblical names don't sound nice. And I also think it's odd to name a child after someone who follows a religion. In the end, if the name bearer decides to become member of a different religion or an atheist, he won't be too happy with this name!

Its an ok name, but the more you think about it the weirder it is that we use a religion as a name. I just think maybe its best not to use the name, in case he ends up following a religion other than Christianity.

It would be really funny if Christian turned out to be an atheist.

Naming your child Christian just seems to me like tacking a label on them before they even get a chance to develop personal beliefs. You wouldn't name your kid Republican or Atheist, would you?

I'm in love with a man who's name is Christian and have since fallen in love with his name, too. This is my favourite male name. It is for a beautiful, handsome, gracious yet masculine gentleman who is sure of himself. Christian is both soft and strong while still being masculine. I personally don't relate it to religion at all but I can understand how some might.

My opinion of the name is weird in that although I feel the name is masculine, I'd prefer it on a girl. It is just an English word, and English words don't have genders. Christian Faith would be a funny girl's name (like The Christian Faith).

I love the name Christian yet I am not very religious. I think it's an acceptable name no matter what religion or lack of one.

What if s/he converts? That'd call for a change of name. You can't ignore the fact that it's the name of a religion, even if you try. I'm an atheist who believes in religious freedom, so I think it's kind of cruel if you name a kid this with the hopes that s/he'll believe in God. I think it has a nice sound to it, though.

I like this name for a boy, even though I am an atheist, so I'd probably never use it.

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Also, I think naming a girl Christian is a bad idea, it doesn't sound like a girl name at all and the meaning is gender neutral.

I like this name a lot "even though" I'm a complete atheist. I think most people like (or dislike) the sound of names and don't think too much, if anything, about what they "really" mean. For example, how many people who name their sons "Calvin" think about the fact that it comes from a root meaning "bald."

I think Christian's a lovely name for a boy. But I won't use it because there's the possibility of him being... well, not a Christian.

What if little Christian becomes an atheist, or any other religion for that matter? That being said, I think it sounds pretty nice, but I wouldn't use it.

My oldest SISTER'S name is Christian. And yes, my family is Christian obviously. Everyone calls her Christi, which I would suggest if you're going to name your baby girl Christian.

Why is naming a child 'Christian' more accepted than naming a child "Jew"? The latter is a much more vague sound and sounds similar to as many real names as the former. Both are subjective titles; that doesn't change just because Christian has been used longer.

If you're Christian, please don't name your kid this! They might decide to switch religions and you'll have stranded them with a name that will confuse their Sikh or Hindu or whatever friends. Anyway, it's a little cruel to literally force-feed a child your religion. Let them decide! It is in the Human Rights Act that a child is allowed to chose and practice their religion as long as it doesn't affect anyone else.
However, considering I follow Buddhist beliefs (There are no gods or deities to worship, Buddha is a teacher, and I won't eat or harm anything with a face) maybe I don't understand. But still, think about it.

I don't get all of the hate for this name. I'm a Christian, and I believe in God, so I don't find anything wrong with this name. It's an old, well-established name, not some modern garbage. Christian may be too common in itself, but I like it way better than the grossly overused Christopher.

Come on. It's not the same as naming your kid 'Jew' or something, because Christian is long established as a name. The thing is, every name originally meant literally what it means! Christian just happens to STILL coincide with the English word of the same meaning. It's really no different than naming your child John or James in that sense. Once you go back, it meant something literally in some language. So it's no different than any other name meaning. Now, whether you want that to be your meaning is another matter, but most people seem to disregard meaning in favour of sound these days.

It is a lovely name for a girl more than it is a boy. I would rather prefer the name Christian (spelled the same way) as a girl name, however.

I know a boy called Christian, but he changed it to Kristian because he got teased and people immediately got the wrong impression of him. Neither he nor his family are religious and they just like the sound of the name. I think it has a nice ring to it (they pronounce it KRIS-tyan).

I like this name for a boy. It's strong and masculine yet soft and gentle. And just because your name is Christian doesn't mean you have to be one. That's like saying if someone's name is Joy that means they are happy all the time. That is totally not true.

It's a handsome name and all, but what if the kid turns out to be an Atheist?

My big brother's name, and I know a lot of girls with this name, too, but I like it A LOT better on a girl for some reason. On a guy, it's cute until he's thirty.

Christian and the feminine version Christianna are among my favourites. I kinda dislike Christian though because of the word Christian. It is a very wonderful name, but I still wouldn't use it because of the word.

I really hate this name. This has to be on my names blacklist. It's just plain idiotic and uncreative! If I were forced to use this name (and there would have to be a lot of force involved), I would use it as a feminine name before a masculine one.

I don't know why but this name just comes off as girly to me.

I like this name for a girl, too. But it works for a boy as well. This name was number 22 for boys in 2005.

This name sounds quite normal and dull in Europe and is overused in European countries. In English-speaking countries, especially in America, this name sounds a bit weird, and a bit too much like a blatant statement that goes a little smething like this: ''We are Christians, my son will be a good Christian, and we want the world to know it! Take that, you secularists, atheists, gays, and lesbians! We're proud, and won't be brough down!'', like they believe people are actually persecuting them. I would be a little suspicious of people who pick this name, as that is the assumption that comes to mind with American people.

I much prefer Christian on a girl. I dislike how they say it's a "boy's" name when in fact WOMEN AND MEN are both Christians not just men.

My husband's name is Christian and I really like the name. Some people have said that it could be a girl's name but I think it's hard for it to sound feminine once you know a man with the name. Oh yeah and Jane's brother in Eastenders is called Christian.

I love this name! And to all those who say it’s horrible and only religious fanatics used it I strongly disagree. I am writing a romance, the hero is named Christian and I would consider this for a child.

I like the sound of this name but I would never use it for my son because I feel that to do so would be tantamount to announcing to the world that I am a Christian, when in fact I am not. The same goes for the name Faith, which I also happen to like. But impossible to use for an agnostic!

I have named my son Krystian, and even though it's spelt the Polish way I love it! So far everyone who has heard his name loves it too, and can't believe how different it is compared to the more popular names lately. All I have to say is, those who say English pronuncication has ruined the name by saying Kris-chan, well, I don't pronounce my son's name that way, and I'm English! I always make sure people pronounce it Krys-ti-an, and I get very cross if people don't, and always make sure they are corrected. I don't shorten it either. Make the most of every syllable. I love it love it love it!

I love the name Christian for a boy. It will only be a boys name to me forever. I think Christina is more for a girl and Christian is for a boy. And for those of you who don't like the name Christian due to it being a religion, well who cares? That is my religion so it only makes sense to name my son that don't ya think? Anyways, if he doesn't want to be a Christian religiously he can go by Chris, can't he? But I think it is the religion that makes this name even better. I understand that Christian is older then Christ and that is why the name was bestowed upon him because of the "Anointed One". Because his name really was just Jesus of Nazareth, until they discovered he was the anointed one, then he became Jesus Christ. See the name really outdates the religion. So the name is quite older then most people know. What a precious name. I can see why it gained such popularity. But that is great, that shows that more people like the name then don't like the name. So I guess there are more people on my side who love the name Christian. And for those of you who don't well I am sorry but there are less people on your side. Sorry statistics agree with me.

I hate, hate, hate the name Christian. Why would people want to name their children after a religion that promotes cruel behavior toward people who are not Christians? But again I hate names such as Grace, Faith, Hope, Joy, and Mercy.

You're thinking of Christian fanatics who pervert the religion to persecute others. That's like judging all Islamics by the Islamic Extremists ie Taliban, etc. It's not accurate and also racist (for lack of a word that is equal to racism when applied to religion).

It doesn't mean that it makes Christian a better name. I also think it's terrible to give a person a name that is pretty much a title. Would you name your kid Democrat, Pro-Lifer, Madonna-Wannabe, Lesbian, Brad-Pitt-Hater, or something like that? Even the name itself is a crappy name in my opinion.

I have to agree with Tori on this one, I'm not Christian but a comment like that is just like saying "all white people owned slaves" it is totally untrue and out-of-bounds. At the same time though I can agree that almost every branch of christianity have had their hands dirty at one time or another.

This is such a nice name! Very strong and handsome.

Christian is a very nice name. It sounds nice and in my opinion has great meaning.

I love the name Christian, I think it's classic. :)

My cousin's name is Christian. She is a girl. I know a few boys with that name, and I like it better on boys. In German, Christian doesn't mean "christian" (well, not literally, like in English). It is pronouced "KRIS-tee-ahn".

This is a beautiful name! It's so elegant and wonderful.

I love the name Christian. The name has a nice sound to it.

This name is kind of strange. After all, you don't name your child Muslim or Buddhist.

Maybe, but it's been used as a name since the middle ages and maybe other religions, in their languages, had names that blatant at one point, perhaps. Not to mention there are millions of Muslims named after Muhammad, which is the most common name in the world now, and every culture has a way of invoking their religion into their names.

This is my husband's name. He hated it in school because teachers and other people would call him Kristin. It would make him so mad that people would not know how to pronounce his name. It is a religon. What is so hard about that?

I don't like the idea of naming children after a religion. Think of a child named 'Confucian', though technically, that is more of a philosophy than a religion; but you get my point. Besides, what if he decides to convert?

I have a son named Christian and he loves his name. Christian is not a religion in it self, it's a basic belief in God for all religions. And for the Gentleman who thinks that kids will someday convert their religion is crazy. As long as you instill the name of the lord in them, they will always be a follower. Whether he is Catholic, Lutheran, or Protestant, he will always be Christian.

That's a really ridiculous statement, and even my own personal experience shows otherwise---I know a guy named Christian who is definitely not one. And being a Christian does not mean believing in any God, it literally means a follower of Christ, who is one particular God.

To the above user who said once his name was Christian he would never convert is just ... urgh! Christian does not mean belief for any religion. Christianity and Islam spring from Judaism, and since I wanted to get a wide view of the world I have studied all 6 major world religions and I find them all similar, and therefore am not religous at all. I respect all religions and firmly believe that someone's name does not determine who they are, and Christian could one day convert. Christianity is not the only religion out there.

This name has such a nice sound to it and it is very masculine, strong sounding yet gentle too.

I love the spelling of the name Christian, but not the English pronunciation of it. My bother's name is Kristijan and we pronounce it KRIS-tee-yan.

I like this name but only as a krees-TYAWN. English pronunciation has destroyed this name. :(

My son's name is Christian. I am not allowing it to be shortened at all. If I wanted to name him "Chris" I would have named him Christopher. I want his name to be "Christian". As another comment said, it is very soft (great for a baby/child) but can be very masculine as well (for as he is growing up). One of the main characters of NIP/TUCK is named Christian and I love it for a man.

I really love this name for a boy, it's soft yet potentially masculine as well.

I think the name Christian is a nice name for a guy. If I have a son I want to call him Christian, but shorten it to Kit.

I think the name Christian is adorable but we use the name Jebz or Jebus instead, it's less formal.

I don't like Christian as a name for a person. I like Christopher, though.