How popular is the baby name Christian in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Christian.

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Popularity of the baby name Christian


Posts that mention the name Christian

Tennessee family with 19 children

kinderfest

A couple of weeks ago, Gil and Kelly Bates of Lake City, Tennessee — and also of the reality TV show United Bates of America — welcomed their 19th child.

Here are the names and ages of all 19:

  1. Zachary Gilvin, called “Zach,” 23
  2. Michaella Christian, called “Michael,” 22
    • Her name is pronounced “like the male version [of] Michael with [an] “uh” sound on the end.”
  3. Erin Elise, 20
  4. William Lawson, called “Lawson,” 19
  5. Kenneth Nathaniel, called “Nathan,” 18
  6. Alyssa Joy, 17
  7. Tori Layne, 16
  8. Trace Whitfield, 15
  9. Carlin Brianne, 13
  10. Josie Kellyn, 12
  11. Katie Grace, 11
  12. Jackson Ezekiel, 9
  13. Warden Justice, 8
  14. Isaiah Courage, 7
  15. Addallee Hope, 5
    • “The double letters in her name remind us that God gave her a second chance in life when she was born with complications that caused her breathing and her heart to stop.”
  16. Ellie Bridget, 4
  17. Callie-Anna Rose, 2
  18. Judson Wyatt, 1
  19. Jeb Colton, newborn

Have any favorites?

P.S. They also have a dog named Johnny and a cat named Kitty.

Sources: Gil and Kelly Bates Welcome Baby No. 19, America’s largest family, the Bates, on miracle 19th child who survived after failing to breathe on his own at birth, About Our Family – The Bates Family, Update on Michael – The Bates Family

Image: Ein Kinderfest (1868) by Ludwig Knaus

The 11 children of Dick Gregory

Dick Gregory and family (in 1971)
Dick Gregory and family

Dick Gregory was an African-American comedian and civil rights activist.

He and his wife Lillian were also the parents of 11 children:

  1. Michele
  2. Lynne
  3. Richard, Jr. (1963) – died as a baby
  4. Pamela Inte (1964) – twin
  5. Paula Gration (1964) – twin
  6. Stephanie (1965)
  7. “Gregory” – no official first name
  8. Christian
  9. Miss
  10. Ayanna (1971)
  11. Yohance (1973)

Those last two births are notable because they inspired other parents to use Ayanna and Yohance, and the resultant upticks in usage made Ayanna and Yohance the top baby name debuts of 1971 and 1973, respectively.

Dick Gregory (1932-2017) with his wife Lillian and newborn baby Ayanna
Dick Gregory with wife Lillian & baby Ayanna

Ayanna

  • 1973: 177 baby girls named Ayanna
  • 1972: 343 baby girls named Ayanna
  • 1971: 194 baby girls named Ayanna [debut]
  • 1970: unlisted
  • 1969: unlisted

Dick and Lillian Gregory found the name Ayanna in Jet magazine, which claimed Ayanna was a female name from East Africa meaning “beautiful flower.”

This information probably came from The Book of African Names (1970) by Chief Osuntoki. Name expert Dr. Cleveland Evans says Osuntoki was “half right” about Ayanna:

Ayana is a name used for both males and females in Ethiopia, but its meaning is uncertain. Ayyanaw is a male Amharic name meaning “we saw him.” Ayana is an Oromo word for the spirits believed to mediate between the high god, Waka, and human beings in the ancient indigenous religion of the Oromos, but it’s unclear if either of those is related to the common Ethiopian name. ln any event, it’s easy to see how parents looking through Osuntoki’s book would seize upon Ayanna as one of the few names included that fit in well with the look and sound of American names of the time.

Yohance

  • 1975: 13 baby boys named Yohance
  • 1974: 23 baby boys named Yohance
  • 1973: 44 baby boys named Yohance [debut]
  • 1972: unlisted
  • 1971: unlisted

A 1973 issue of Jet states that Dick and Lillian found the name Yohance (pronounced yoh-HAHN-seh) in a book called Names from Africa, and that Yohance “means “God’s gift” in the Hausa language of Nigeria.”

The only sources I’ve found that mention Yohance are baby name books, so I’m not entirely convinced that Yohance is a legitimate Hausa name. Some of the books claim Yohance is a form of John, but an online Hausa bible I found translates John as “Yahaya” — similar, but not quite the same.

Gregory

One of Dick Gregory’s children is named Gregory — just Gregory. Like Tifft and Gatewood, Gregory doesn’t have a first name. Here’s the explanation:

My oldest son, Gregory, has just one name. His birth certificate does not read “Gregory Gregory,” but rather simply “Gregory.” In the American system, whose computers, bureaucracy and institutional requirements demand two names to function, my son Gregory is a symbol of independence of the built-in entanglements which predetermine the destiny of the “two-namers” in a controlled society.

Miss

One of Dick Gregory’s daughters is named Miss, making her full name “Miss Gregory.” Here’s why:

At the time of her birth, racial hangups in the United States made it difficult for some white folks to call a black woman “Miss” and a black man “Mister.” So to be on the safe side, my wife and I named our daughter Miss. All her life, anyone who calls her by her proper name will have to say, “Miss Gregory.”

Inte & Gration

The middle names of Dick Gregory’s twins Paula and Pamela are “Inte” and “Gration.” Dick wrote in his memoir:

On March 18, 1964, one year and three days after Richard Jr. was born, Lil gave birth to Paula and Pam. We gave them the middle names of Inte and Gration so they would always remember the sacrifice their mother had made while they were still in the womb.

Lillian’s sacrifice was that she’d been jailed for attempting to dine at a restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia. (She went to the restaurant knowing she’s be arrested; her intent was the draw attention to the fight for civil rights.)

Sources:

  • “African Names for Your Children.” Jet 16 Sep. 1971: 14.
  • “All in a Name.” Jet 11 Nov. 1971: 33.
  • “Dick Gregory, Wife’s 10th Child Given African Name.” Jet 9 Aug. 1973: 16.
  • Evans, Cleveland Kent. The Great Big Book of Baby Names. Lincolnwood, IL: Publications International, 2006.
  • Gregory, Dick and Sheila P. Moses. Callus on My Soul: A Memoir. New York: Kensington, 2000.
  • Gregory, Dick. Dick Gregory’s Natural Diet for Folks Who Eat. New York: Harper Collins, 1974.

Images: Clippings from the cover of Ebony magazine (Oct. 1971) and from Jet magazine (11 Nov. 1971)

Girl names beyond the top 1,000 of 2010

stars

Have you seen any of the most popular baby girl names beyond the top 1,000 yet? If not, here they are — down to the names that were given to 100 babies each last year. The 1,000th most popular girl name was Dania, given to 249 babies, and after Dania comes…

  • 249: Yadira [tied with Dania]
  • 248: Charlize, Estella, Jacey, Sariyah, Sky, Sloan, Tia, Yuliana
  • 247: Tanya
  • 246: Amaris, Desirae, Frida, Kaila
  • 245: Braylee, Essence, Karley, Kianna
  • 244: none
  • 243: Abrielle, Annette, Valery
  • 242: Alaya, Rory, Samiyah, Sanai
  • 241: Delia
  • 240: Blake, Chasity, Izabelle, Lillyana, Nahla, Shaila
  • 239: Cambria, Jana, Kaylah
  • 238: Dalilah, Evalyn, Renata
  • 237: Coraline, Jessa, Kaley, Kensley
  • 236: Brittney, Miya, Roxanne
  • 235: Annabell, Ashtyn, Dorothy, Giavanna, Janice
  • 234: Aya, Calista, Cierra, Julieta, Rivka, Saanvi, Samira
  • 233: Monserrat
  • 232: Aliah, Jaslyn, Makaila
  • 231: Areli, Bentley, Gracyn
  • 230: Blakely, Brissa, Iyana, Iyanna, Karis, Laurel, Leticia, Maryjane, Noor
  • 229: Bryn, Celine, Emory, Kayley, Kendyl, Leigha, Mariela, Taya
  • 228: Annalee, Jersey, Magdalena, Raylee, Sofie, Taniya
  • 227: Kamari, Kyndal, Melinda, Tamara, Unique
  • 226: Amalia, Ashanti, Kailynn, Kristin
  • 225: Brookelynn, Gretchen, Jamiyah, Karleigh, Suri
  • 224: Ashly
  • 223: Kya, Vienna, Zaniya
  • 222: Blair, Hailie, Krista, Noa, Yasmine, Zahra
  • 221: Johana, Kamiyah
  • 220: Cayla, Dallas, Joelle, Malaysia, Zainab
  • 219: Lesley
  • 218: Christiana
  • 217: Audrianna, Bayleigh, Elissa, Susana, Winter
  • 216: Lyra, Promise
  • 215: Dayanara, Emmalynn, Lucero, Selina
  • 214: Ashleigh, Keely, Nova, Nyah
  • 213: Harlee, Taniyah
  • 212: Abbygail, Keeley, Shaniyah
  • 211: Abigayle, Analise, Elliot, Jaleah, Nalani, Sally, Shyann, Temperance
  • 210: Cristal, Kori
  • 209: Adison, Aurelia, Cassie, Lianna
  • 208: Annaliese, Gillian, Landry, Milana, Rhea, Vivien
  • 207: Caleigh, Darlene, Emani, Geraldine, Gina, Luisa, Marian, Rileigh, Tiara
  • 206: Antonia, Arlene, Kamille
  • 205: Anjali, Chelsey, Colette, Izzabella, Jordin, Juniper, Kaycee, Laniya, Maribel, Marleigh
  • 204: Aviana, Katia
  • 203: Addie, Ariyah, Channing, Emmaline, Jalynn, Jazzlyn, Scarlette
  • 202: Galilea, Joslynn, Marin, Mercy, Reece
  • 201: Abrianna, Colleen, Denisse, Samiya, Treasure
  • 200: Kamora, Naima, Rebeca
  • 199: Aanya, Kaidence, Kamilah, Maycee, Romina
  • 198: Izabel, Malak, Marlie, Nyasia, Sarina, Tinsley
  • 197: Amyah, Aubrianna, Joselin, Lidia
  • 196: Carli, Harmoni, Jackeline, Kaleah, Kayli, Makiyah, Nariah, Shea, Soraya
  • 195: Ailyn, Anneliese, Ellison, Fallon, Remi
  • 194: Kamya, Tayla, Tyler
  • 193: Aditi, Elayna, Jailyn, Mireya
  • 192: Ariyana, Berkley, Kenia, Liv, Milena, Nicolette, Soleil
  • 191: Arden, Lillyanna, Maura, Vivianna
  • 190: Aubri, Avianna, Kathy, Lizette, Sonya, Yvette
  • 189: Alanah, Carson, Elly, Peighton, Shayna
  • 188: Evangelina, Laci, Maren
  • 187: Elyssa, Jamiya, Keila, Makaylah, Yara
  • 186: Emme, Graciela, Gwyneth
  • 185: Bonnie, Ellery, Elliott, Keily, Kenadie, Lucinda, Silvia
  • 184: Ananya, Astrid, Kailani, Maiya, Sunny, Wren
  • 183: Anais, Deja, Everleigh, Shreya, Tatianna
  • 182: Blanca, Elina, Sheila
  • 181: Amayah, Honesty, Lanie, Maite
  • 180: Kalia, Katy, Saylor
  • 179: Ashton, Citlali, Karmen, Mika
  • 178: Cordelia, Destini, Hunter, Lacie, Selene, Stevie, Tinley
  • 177: Alli, Annelise, Caelyn, Carrie, Celina, Dani, Jasmyn, Jazmyne, Kaci, Paislee, Toni
  • 176: Destiney, Gisele, Mabel, Rita, Sandy, Yarely
  • 175: Brandy, Brookelyn, Caitlynn, Estefany, Jaclyn, Kora, Mackenna, Marely
  • 174: Amariah, Amia, Deasia, Jaedyn, Justine
  • 173: Adamaris, Emmie, Nichole, Preslee, Rilee, Shirley
  • 172: Calleigh, Jaycie, Lilyann, Maddie
  • 171: Anita, Antonella, Bridgette, Lillyan
  • 170: Kalyn, Kirra, Sahara
  • 169: Analy, Kamiya, Lacy, Litzy, Mariajose, Maylee, Zaira
  • 168: Alex, Avani, Eunice, Jenesis, Monique, Nya, Wynter
  • 167: Ariyanna, Dina, Margarita, Nikki, Roxana
  • 166: Asha, Kacey, Karolina, Raya
  • 165: Estefani, Haidyn, Harleigh, Hillary, Josselyn, Kalea, Melia, Priya, Star
  • 164: Azalea, Drew, Lillyann, Magnolia, Miyah, Natali
  • 163: Ayden, Ayva, Gwen
  • 162: Alora, Aniah, Elana, Rhianna, Xochitl
  • 161: Aubry, Colbie, Devin, Freya, Milani, Noelia, Pyper, Rhiannon
  • 160: Audra, Faye, Jael, Kaylani, Maxine, Mayte, Nelly, Roxanna
  • 159: Adrian, Alessia, Carsyn, Everly, Gwenyth, Noel, Samaria, Tina, Ziva
  • 158: Alize, Amerie, Carter, Stacey
  • 157: Brylie, Camdyn, Dayanna, Emerie, Leena, Louisa, Robin, Yaretzy
  • 156: Brandi, Breana, Dalila, Eryn, Samya, Tayler
  • 155: Estelle, Kahlan, Margot, Veda
  • 154: Abygail, Aida, Alexi, Belle, Betsy, Christian, Coral, Jacklyn, Kalli, Tatyana
  • 153: Aubriana, Hattie, Jacie, Jaya, Marcella, Mylah, Rocio
  • 152: Aubrielle, Beatriz, Delanie, Ila, Lilyan, Meagan, Robyn, Savana
  • 151: Darby, Ellianna, Janie, Malina, Penny
  • 150: Allyssa, Bryana, Isha, Priscila, Susanna, Zahara
  • 149: Anissa, Brynley, Carol, Constance, Ellis, Geneva, Gizelle, Halo, Jasleen, Joana, Sahana
  • 148: Amberly, Anniston, Cailey, Farah, Nadine, Nailah, Rosalyn, Scout, Sheyla
  • 147: Adelle, Arlette, Austyn, Berenice, Estefania, Evalynn, Kaniyah, Lluvia, Makenzi, Mariella, Ryley, Shaelyn
  • 146: Elia, Josslyn, Louise, Mayah, Nariyah, Zoya
  • 145: Alianna, Capri, Ginger, Jaslynn, Katerina, Khloee, Kinlee, Linnea
  • 144: Anaiah, Ericka, Hadleigh, Juana, Keziah, Raniyah, Vida
  • 143: Arleth, Brea, Fabiola, Flor, Jaeda, Katlyn, Lela, Lucie, Maylin
  • 142: Darcy, Dasia, Jalyn, Rilynn, Sylvie, Taelyn
  • 141: Aniston, Chyna, Emmaleigh, Janaya, Trista, Zaylee
  • 140: Chiara, Emmeline, Thea
  • 139: Alyse, Candice, Carmella, Cayleigh, Kyrie, Yaneli, Yulissa
  • 138: Alasia, Darla, Diane, Leilany, Lilli, Paulette
  • 137: Amora, Cielo, Jurnee, Kacie, Makiya, Marlen, Reilly
  • 136: Alexandrea, Alyssia, Anayah, Andi, Holland, Keren, Sahasra, Yahaira
  • 135: Aja, Issabella, Kelis, Malayah
  • 134: Adaline, Addelyn, Anali, Ayah, Ema, Emalee, Layna, Leanne, Londynn, Triniti
  • 133: Adilene, Adilyn, Avril, Cailin, Calla, Charlene, Elisha, Jazlene, Melani, Yessenia
  • 132: Analeigh, Candace, Clementine, Kloey, Yolanda
  • 131: Alexys, Anisa, Ari, Della, Leela, Milania
  • 130: Aven, Cloe, Danae, Dianna, Grayson, Keegan
  • 129: Annmarie, Betty, Brianne, Calli, Kenleigh, Malka, Skylah, Taleah, Trisha
  • 128: Annaleigh, Avalyn, Baileigh, Brynna, Grecia, Harlie, Harmonie, Jaela, Katarina, Makaela, Maliya, Melisa
  • 127: Adela, Jackelyn, Janya, Jazelle, Jianna, Kennadi, Marjorie
  • 126: Andie, Felicia, Jorja, Kaily, Katharine, Mallorie, Mari, Milla, Ramona, Vianney, Yvonne
  • 125: Daniyah, Jayna, Kalani, Katalina, Kelsi, Kiya, Kristine, Rayleigh, Remy, Shira, Starr, Tracy
  • 124: Christy, Hadlee, Jovie, Naya, Shakira
  • 123: Adalee, Addilynn, Beatrix, Kami, Kenadee, Maisie, Rania, Solange, Yuna
  • 122: Alysa, Aminah, Claira, Elora, Emmerson, Isadora, Jaci, Jiselle, Kinslee, Marcela, Rosie
  • 121: Anisha, Avalon, Cayden, Citlaly, Eleni, Jenifer, Kasandra, Madisen, Makinley, Nala, Roxy, Samaya
  • 120: Camden, Ivette, Jeanette, Judy, Montserrat, Quincy, Taylar, Whitley
  • 119: Adrianne, Angely, Arianny, Baylie, Daria, Ester, Jahzara, Kenzi, Makyla, Remington, Tallulah
  • 118: Addalyn, Ebony, Emerald, Jaquelin, Leann, Martina, Maryann, Nikita, Poppy, Vanesa
  • 117: Aime, Audree, Ela, Emalyn, Heavenly, Malena, Melodie, Nellie, Oakley, Rachelle, Stormy, Viola
  • 116: Alonna, Brooklynne, Dior, Jaila, Lupita, Rosario, Taylin, Vianey, Yuridia
  • 115: Adamari, Audrie, Chandler, Jamiah, Kalina, Kaniya, Kayle, Randi, Xitlali
  • 114: Alba, Allegra, Ariela, Charis, Collins, Ivory, Joseline, Kamdyn, Kaylan, Lourdes, Norma, Saniah
  • 113: Alliyah, Alysha, Briza, Flora, Kari, Kensington, Maryn, Sade, Taytum, Yasmeen
  • 112: Anaiya, Brook, Ciera, Davina, Elli, Katheryn, Khadija, Madysen, Mindy, Roslyn, Semaj, Yael
  • 111: Adina, Amaria, Ania, Anushka, August, Carys, Frankie, Gitty, Jalaya, Janay, Kenlee, Nayla, Neha, Ria, Shoshana, Siri, Taylee
  • 110: Alea, Ariya, Cambree, Devon, Juanita, Khloie, Lisette, Lori, Lynn, Persephone, Prisha, Teegan
  • 109: Aila, Braylin, Breonna, Cianna, Emi, Jalissa, Jessalyn, Johannah, Jolee, Magdalene, Mariel, Shay, Skylee, Zoee
  • 108: Annamarie, Gracey, Haily, Iman, Julisa, Kaileigh, Laken, Lamya, Loren, Raylynn, Rhyan, Sanjana, Sonja, Yoselyn
  • 107: Addysen, Analee, Avalynn, Aymar, Giulianna, Haiden, Henley, Kaliah, Kamaria, Lyndsey, Mylie, Seraphina, Tanisha
  • 106: Aiden, Annalisa, Arionna, Blessing, Carrington, Dafne, Jesse, Kaydance, Lynette, May, Rhylee, Rylynn, Samia, Sol, Veronika
  • 105: Adilynn, Britany, Cameryn, Chevelle, Ciana, Jackie, Josalyn, Mariya, Raleigh, Skylynn, Sydnie, Tristyn, Zaina
  • 104: Aleksandra, Alycia, Anijah, Elysia, Jennah, Kristy, Lexus, Lexy, Liyah, Sabina, Tyra, Vicky
  • 103: Akshara, Alysia, Anaiyah, Araya, Brinlee, Dasha, Elinor, Giulia, Gladys, Jena, Joanne, Katelin, Kinleigh, Mandy, Myka, Preslie, Rylin, Sydni, Taliah, Violette, Ysabella, Zayla
  • 102: Ariadna, Azucena, Divya, Jacquelin, Joey, Karely, Khloey, Makiah, Miabella, Neriah, Olyvia, Ruthie, Saphira, Tanvi, Zaida
  • 101: Candy, Daira, Isobel, Jailynn, Janette, Janyla, Jessenia, Jiya, Kalista, Luella, Meera, Navaeh, Niya, Rain, Sana, Valencia, Zooey
  • 100: Aleyah, Alysson, Ayesha, Corina, Egypt, Imogen, Italia, Karmyn, Sariya, Zariya

Here’s the equivalent boys’ list for 2010.

Update, Aug. 2023: “Girl names beyond the top 1,000 of 2022” is a more recent version of this list.

Source: SSA

Image: Adapted from Scattered stars in Sagittarius by ESA/Hubble under CC BY 4.0.

Popular baby names in Norway, 2010

Flag of Norway
Flag of Norway

The top baby girl and baby boy names in Norway last year were Emma and Lukas — the same as in 2009.

Here are the top ten girl names:

  1. Emma (465 baby girls)
  2. Linnea/Linea (452)
  3. Sara/Sahra/Sarah (426)
  4. Sofie/Sophie (423)
  5. Nora/Norah (411)
  6. Ingrid/Ingerid/Ingri (399)
  7. Thea/Tea (389)
  8. Emilie (387)
  9. Ida (381)
  10. Maja/Maia/Maya (353)

And here are the top ten boy names:

  1. Lukas/Lucas (552 baby boys)
  2. Emil (492)
  3. Mathias/Matias (491)
  4. William (443)
  5. Magnus (435)
  6. Markus/Marcus (428)
  7. Jonas (423)
  8. Kristian/Christian (400)
  9. Oliver (384)
  10. Alexander/Aleksander (380)

And here are a few other interesting facts:

  • 52% of the girls born in 2010 have names that end with -a or -ah.
  • 20% of the boys born in 2010 have biblical names.
  • Mohammad was the most popular baby boy name in Oslo.
  • Norwegian parents seem to be “avoiding names involving the uniquely Norwegian letters of æ, ø and å, which often cause problems and confusion in e-mail addresses and other aspects of a globalized society.”

That last point is particularly interesting. On the one hand, it’s cool that parents are gravitating toward names that will make their children’s lives simpler. On the other, names featuring Scandinavian letters like æ, ø and å represent Norway’s heritage, and it would a shame to see cultural gems like Bjørn and Jørgen fall by the wayside. (Though perhaps it’s inevitable…?)

Sources: Statistics Norway, ‘Emma’ and ‘Lukas’ most popular baby names

Image: Adapted from Flag of Norway (public domain)