Christen
/ˈkrɪsən/noun
To baptize someone into the Christian faith or give a person or thing a name.
Did you know?In English, “christen” later expanded beyond baptism to mean formally naming objects, which is why ships are still “christened” today.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵʰreyH-
“To rub; the ancient root associated with applying or spreading substance by rubbing”
Ancient Greek
Greek
khríō
“To rub on or anoint with oil”
Ancient Greek
Greek
khristós
“Anointed; the source of the title Christ”
Late Antiquity
Latin
christiāre
“To make Christian or convert to Christianity”
Old English
Old English
cristnian
“To make Christian; to baptize”
Middle English
Middle English
christenen
“To baptize or give a Christian name”
Modern English
English
christen
“To baptize, name, or formally launch”
Explore more surprising origins