Cristóbal

Christ-bearer

Cristóbal is a Spanish masculine name meaning “Christ-bearer,” from the Greek name Christophoros. It belongs to the same name family as English Christopher, German Christoph and French Christophe. Its Christian associations include Saint Christopher: in the legend, he carries the Christ child across a river. That scene gives the meaning a memorable image, while the meaning itself comes from the Greek elements for Christ and carrying. In Spanish, the name is pronounced cris-TO-bal, with the emphasis on the middle syllable. The accent in Cristóbal marks that stress and is part of the Spanish spelling. The crisp opening and rounded, accented o give the name a substantial, composed feel; the final l lets it finish more gently than it begins.

Etymology: The Spanish form of Christopher, ultimately from Greek Christophoros: Christos, “Christ,” and a second element related to pherein, “to carry.”