Origin and Meaning of Christmas

Christ's Mass, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ

Origin: Old English - The name Christmas comes from the Old English 'Cristes maesse', which means 'Christ's Mass'. It refers to the Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus.

• The term 'Christmas' has been used for centuries and was first recorded in the early 11th century.
• In many cultures around the world, Christmas is celebrated not just as a religious holiday, but also as a cultural festival, including various traditions and customs.
• Notable bearers of the name include Christmas Addicts, an Englishman known as the 'father of the Christmas dinner', and several modern figures who take the name as a given or middle name.
• Although primarily associated with the holiday, the name Christmas is quite rare as a personal name and is more commonly used in holiday contexts.
• Related names and variations include variants such as Chris, Christian, and Krista, which all relate to the theme of Christ and Christmas.