What does Christmas mean and where does it come from?
Christmas is primarily known as a holiday name, often associated with December festivities. As a given name, it symbolizes joy and celebration. While not common as a traditional first name, it has been adopted in recent years, spotlighting unique or alternative names inspired by cultural events. The
Cultural significance
Christmas has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in United Kingdom-speaking communities, where it reflects values of english.
Peak popularity
Reached #5091 in 1984 — currently #1931 in the US.
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Related Reading
United Kingdom-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Christmas?
Christmas works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Christmas Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Christmas Rose
Floral · soft ending
Christmas Mae
Sweet · timeless
Christmas Claire
French influence · crisp
Christmas Jane
Literary · strong
Christmas Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Christmas right now?
Holding steady — currently #1931 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #1931 | 269 | ▲ up 5 · +8% births |
| 2022 | #1936 | 249 | ▲ up 5 · +14% births |
| 2021 | #1941 | 219 | ▲ up 12836 · +3550% births |
| 2015 | #14777 | 6 | ▼ down 879 · +20% births |
| 1995 | #13898 | 5 | ▼ down 5788 · -50% births |
| 1990 | #8110 | 10 | ▼ down 231 · +25% births |
| 1985 | #7879 | 8 | ▼ down 1731 · -27% births |
| 1980 | #6148 | 11 | ▲ up 1214 · +120% births |
| 1965 | #7362 | 5 | — |
The story of Christmas
Christmas is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1964. With 160 total births recorded, Christmas remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #7362 in 1965 to #1931 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Christmas in 1984:
Christmas by decade
Christmas peaked in the 1980s. See all 1980s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1960s | 15 | |
| 1970s | 12 | |
| 1980s ★ | 76 | |
| 1990s | 40 | |
| 2010s | 17 | |
💎Christmas has only 160 total recorded births since 1964 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Christmas?
Common
ChrChriChrieChryIstmas
What names sound and feel like Christmas?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Christmas also consider these
Common questions about the name Christmas
What does the name Christmas mean?
Christmas means "English" — a name rooted in United Kingdom tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Christmas?
Christmas is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.
What is the cultural origin of Christmas?
Christmas originates from United Kingdom tradition. United Kingdom names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Christmas?
Christmas is a two-syllable name pronounced K R IH1 S M AH0 S. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Christmas a common or rare name?
Christmas is a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality. It strikes a balance between standing out and fitting in.