Christine

Where the name comes from

• Latin and Greek, through French
  Christian (a woman who follows Christ)
  Latin Christina and Christiana, from Greek Christianoi ('Christians'), from Greek khristos, 'the anointed'
  Christine is the French form of Christina. Christina was a medieval saint's name that meant 'Christian.' The Greek word for Christians has a Latin ending. It is built on Christos, 'the anointed,' which is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for messiah. Some websites say the name means 'flower of Christ' or 'beautiful.' These are popular meanings only. No scholarly source supports them.

Christine across traditions

• Christian. The name honors early saints called Christina. The best known is St. Christina, a Roman martyr. Tradition says she died about 1,730 years ago. In medieval Europe many saints and many Swedish queens had the name.
• Spanish and Latin American. Cristina is the Spanish form. It is also used in Italian and Portuguese. Like Christine, it comes from Latin Christina, which is based on Christus, 'Christ.' Cristina is the usual form in Spanish-speaking families, and Christina is its English spelling.
• Medieval Europe. Records show the name in England, France, Germany, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and the Baltic from the 800s on. Spellings included Cristina, Cristine and Christine.
• United States. Peak decade: 1970s, at #22 among US girls. It ranked #27 in the 1960s, when the most girls were given the name.

Who carried it

• St. Christina (Died about 1,730 years ago, by tradition): A Roman martyr from a noble family. She made the name famous across Christian Europe.
• Christine de Pizan (1364–about 1430): A French poet and writer, often called the first feminist philosopher. She wrote The Book of the City of Ladies.

Forms in other languages

Christina, Christiana, Christiane, Cristina, Cristine, Kristina, Kristine, Kirstin, Christinha, Stine, Tine, Chrissie, Tina, Christy, Kristin

Christine in letter-number systems

Hebrew, Greek and other traditions gave every letter a number, and read meaning into the totals. These are the counts, computed; the readings are inside the Innerverse.