Unisex name · peaked 1982

Christen

Every Christen since 1910 — 13,706 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.10.20.30.418801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#9,591
among girls
Babies in 2025
20
named Christen
Peak year
1982
601 babies
All-time total
13,706
since 1910

The story of Christen

Christen is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #9,591 in 2025 with 10 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1910, 13,706 American babies have been named Christen — about 84% girls and 16% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1982, when 601 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Christen stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Christen year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 10 #9,591 10 #7,775
2024 9 #10,453 9 #8,444
2023 11 #9,112 14 #6,282
2022 11 #9,184 14 #6,211
2021 10 #9,708 17 #5,377
2020 17 #6,695 22 #4,447
2019 16 #7,097 13 #6,482
2018 19 #6,307 23 #4,386
2017 26 #5,082 16 #5,571
2016 40 #3,799 27 #3,900
2015 34 #4,243 26 #4,002
2014 31 #4,570 22 #4,417
2013 34 #4,267 21 #4,498
2012 25 #5,432 22 #4,417
2011 46 #3,461 25 #4,007
2010 32 #4,511 30 #3,550
2009 62 #2,831 23 #4,302
2008 50 #3,334 33 #3,354
2007 74 #2,517 36 #3,143
2006 73 #2,516 32 #3,319
2005 86 #2,144 38 #2,810
2004 86 #2,103 56 #2,104
2003 91 #1,989 43 #2,437
2002 113 #1,635 40 #2,475
2001 126 #1,490 41 #2,393
2000 138 #1,358 49 #2,055
1995 250 #795 31 #2,457
1990 343 #650 49 #1,664
1985 511 #432 49 #1,392
1980 478 #448 30 #1,860
1975 220 #679 44 #1,306
1970 137 #936 29 #1,583
1965 44 #1,694 21 #1,728
1960 16 #3,108 7 #3,389
1955 11 #3,609 10 #2,596
1950 6 #3,377
1945 7 #3,722
1940 8 #3,262
1935 14 #2,220
1930 12 #2,573
1925 11 #2,971
1920 14 #2,486
1915 5 #4,401
1910 5 #2,475
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Christen

  1. Christen C. Raunkiær Biologist · 1860–1938
  2. Christen Købke Painter · 1810–1848
  3. Christen Sørensen Longomontanus Astronomer · 1562–1647
  4. Christen Andreas Fonnesbech Politician · 1817–1880

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Christen in 2025?

Christen ranked #9,591 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 10 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Christen?

13,706 babies have been named Christen in the United States since 1910, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Christen most popular?

Christen peaked in 1982, when 601 newborns received the name.

Is Christen a boy or girl name?

Christen is used for both: about 84% of babies named Christen have been girls and 16% boys.

Is the name Christen rising or falling?

Christen is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Christen?

Well-known people named Christen include Christen C. Raunkiær (biologist), Christen Købke (painter), Christen Sørensen Longomontanus (astronomer).

Names like Christen

Compare Christen with similar names →