Christina is a female given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the masculine Latin name Christianus, which means "follower of Christ." The name was first used as a feminine form in the Middle Ages in Europe. It was popular among royalty and nobility during this time, with many queens and princesses being named Christina or variants such as Christine or Christina.
The name Christina gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the 19th century. It was often used as a diminutive of longer names such as Christina Rossetti or Christina Georgina, Duchess of Bedford. Today, Christina remains a popular choice for parents looking for a classic and elegant name with a strong historical precedent.
Some notable figures named Christina include Christina Aguilera, the American singer-songwriter, Christina Ricci, the American actress known for her roles in films like "The Addams Family" and "Monster," and Christina Koch, the NASA astronaut who spent 328 days in space between October 2019 and February 2020. These examples illustrate how the name Christina has been carried by strong and accomplished women throughout history.
The name Christina has seen varying popularity over the years in the United States. From 1978 to 1988, there were a total of 38 babies named Christina each year on average. The peak years for this name during this period were 1983 and 1987, with 8 and 7 births respectively. However, the popularity of the name has fluctuated over time, with some years seeing as few as 5 births (in 1988). Despite these fluctuations, Christina remains a classic and timeless name choice for parents in the United States.