Meaning & Story
Christopher derives from the Ancient Greek Christophoros, meaning bearing Christ or Christ-bearer, from Christos meaning anointed one and phero meaning to carry or bear. Saint Christopher was a legendary early Christian martyr who carried the Christ child across a river and is the patron saint of travelers. The name has been one of the most popular names in the English-speaking world for centuries. For pets, Christopher is a magnificently formal name that immediately invites affectionate shortening.
Christopher is a wonderful name for a male companion whose owners have decided that four syllables of full formal recognition are exactly what is called for, before reverting to Chris, Kip, or Topher for practical daily use. The patron saint of travelers suggests a companion who is well-suited to being carried across rivers or simply accompanying his humans on any journey regardless of destination. Whether called in full or abbreviated, Christopher is a name that carries genuine warmth and the company of centuries of good, reliable people.