[Opinions] Christopher vs. Matthew
Which one would you choose, and why?
What would you use for a middle name?
**Starfish and coffee, maple syrup and jam/Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine, and a side order of ham**
What would you use for a middle name?
**Starfish and coffee, maple syrup and jam/Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine, and a side order of ham**
Replies
I would use Matthew Christopher.
Christopher
The names are just about equally blah to me and it would be hard for me to use either, but I know so so many nice Chrises including some very close friends, plus I like the meaning. Christopher carried Christ over a river I think? Or something? I like the idea of bearing Christ into the world, over the river Styx in reverse or something like that.
Oh I have to use it as a first name? I have to risk him going by Topher? Yikes. Okay, fine. I'd do Ludwig as a middle name I think, I'd play up the heaviness and potential stuffiness of Christopher's phonetics.
I do think I prefer it phonetically to Matthew, which annoys me a bit, sounds whiney.
The names are just about equally blah to me and it would be hard for me to use either, but I know so so many nice Chrises including some very close friends, plus I like the meaning. Christopher carried Christ over a river I think? Or something? I like the idea of bearing Christ into the world, over the river Styx in reverse or something like that.
Oh I have to use it as a first name? I have to risk him going by Topher? Yikes. Okay, fine. I'd do Ludwig as a middle name I think, I'd play up the heaviness and potential stuffiness of Christopher's phonetics.
I do think I prefer it phonetically to Matthew, which annoys me a bit, sounds whiney.
Matthew
Of the two I'd more likely use Matthew, but even then almost assuredly as a middle name rather than a first. But if I were to try and make Matthew "Matt" a first name:
Matthew Emery
Matthew Edmund
Matthew Edward
Matthew Elliott
Matthew Cameron
Matthew Damien (is this too close to Matt Damon?)
Matthew Mortimer
Matthew Ambrose
Matthew Bennett
Matthew Benedict
Matthew Lennox
Matthew Lennon
Matthew Silas
Matthew Simon
Matthew Tobias
That said, "Matt" and "Chris" were both pervasive in my generation (and common enough beforehand), to the point where I doubt I'd ever consider either for a son. In fact, for both genders, "Chris" might be the most common name of anyone I've ever known. Ever.
Of the two I'd more likely use Matthew, but even then almost assuredly as a middle name rather than a first. But if I were to try and make Matthew "Matt" a first name:
Matthew Emery
Matthew Edmund
Matthew Edward
Matthew Elliott
Matthew Cameron
Matthew Damien (is this too close to Matt Damon?)
Matthew Mortimer
Matthew Ambrose
Matthew Bennett
Matthew Benedict
Matthew Lennox
Matthew Lennon
Matthew Silas
Matthew Simon
Matthew Tobias
That said, "Matt" and "Chris" were both pervasive in my generation (and common enough beforehand), to the point where I doubt I'd ever consider either for a son. In fact, for both genders, "Chris" might be the most common name of anyone I've ever known. Ever.
Christopher but
Only because Matthew is one of my most-hated names. I think it's positively repulsive. No redeeming qualities whatsoever. Christopher I also hate, but not nearly with the same venom I hate Matthew with.
Only because Matthew is one of my most-hated names. I think it's positively repulsive. No redeeming qualities whatsoever. Christopher I also hate, but not nearly with the same venom I hate Matthew with.
I like both a lot, but can’t really use either in real life as I have cousins named Christopher and Matthew.
I prefer Matthew, but I don’t like Matt. Kit is my favourite nn for Christopher.
Christopher William and Matthew George.
I prefer Matthew, but I don’t like Matt. Kit is my favourite nn for Christopher.
Christopher William and Matthew George.
Matthew
Christopher is a little posh for me, I prefer the cool vibe of Matthew (and Matt). But I'd rank both around 6.5.
Christopher is a little posh for me, I prefer the cool vibe of Matthew (and Matt). But I'd rank both around 6.5.
I find Matthew totally soporific. Flat, dull and ubiquitous.
I wouldn't use Christopher, because it does seem to imply Christian beliefs; but it's a very good name. My cousin's son is unfortunately known as Tiffer; I'd stick to Chris even though it's popular.
Christopher Anton
Christopher Hugh
Christopher Graham (two syllables!)
I wouldn't use Christopher, because it does seem to imply Christian beliefs; but it's a very good name. My cousin's son is unfortunately known as Tiffer; I'd stick to Chris even though it's popular.
Christopher Anton
Christopher Hugh
Christopher Graham (two syllables!)
Christopher. I never trust a Matthew lol
Neither
Both are drab.
I'd consider either one as middle name because I like their constituent sounds.
Both are drab.
I'd consider either one as middle name because I like their constituent sounds.
Both!
*Pant, pant! This gives me anxiety. I love both!
-Matthew Joseph
-Matthew Elijah
-Matthew Everett
-Matthew Aidan
Christopher
-Christopher Tobias
-Christopher Adam
-Christopher Benjamin
-Christopher Dean
*Pant, pant! This gives me anxiety. I love both!
-Matthew Joseph
-Matthew Elijah
-Matthew Everett
-Matthew Aidan
Christopher
-Christopher Tobias
-Christopher Adam
-Christopher Benjamin
-Christopher Dean
Matthew. I just like Matt better than Chris. I've liked more Matts than Chrises (and I've known zillions of each, it seems like). Also the sound of the full name Christopher is unpleasant to me. Stuffer. And I always notice the meaning, when it's written out - "bearing Christ" - that's pretty weird seeming, to me. I picture a guy carrying a limp Jesus on his back, heh.
I wouldn't really use Matthew but if I had to ... I'd probably give him a trendier or more eccentric middle name to make up for it.
Matthew River
Matthew Hunter
Matthew Rhydian
Matthew Tarn
Matthew Gwendal
I wouldn't really use Matthew but if I had to ... I'd probably give him a trendier or more eccentric middle name to make up for it.
Matthew River
Matthew Hunter
Matthew Rhydian
Matthew Tarn
Matthew Gwendal
This message was edited 11/30/2020, 3:19 PM
The legend is that there was a giant who made a living by carrying travellers across a river; one day a small child asked for a lift and the giant laughed and swung him up on to his shoulder and started confidently across, but his light burden soon became heavier and heavier until he could hardly manage to stagger to the opposite bank. And the child explained that, in carrying him, the giant had also been carrying all the sins of the world; and gave him a name (he'd never had one before): Christopher!
I agree that the kind of Pieta image would be creepy: this, however, is quite cute.
I agree that the kind of Pieta image would be creepy: this, however, is quite cute.
Christopher
It's really hard for me to think of Matthew outside of the context of sagging jeans and bland 90s rock.
Christopher Felix
Christopher Clair
Christopher Basil
Christopher Conrad
Christopher Murray
Christopher Joseph
Christopher Gaius
Christopher Emmanuel
Christopher Jesse
Christopher Solomon
Christopher Fabian
Christopher Nathaniel
Christopher Adam
Christopher Noah
Christopher Benjamin
Christopher Kenneth
Christopher Myles
It's really hard for me to think of Matthew outside of the context of sagging jeans and bland 90s rock.
Christopher Felix
Christopher Clair
Christopher Basil
Christopher Conrad
Christopher Murray
Christopher Joseph
Christopher Gaius
Christopher Emmanuel
Christopher Jesse
Christopher Solomon
Christopher Fabian
Christopher Nathaniel
Christopher Adam
Christopher Noah
Christopher Benjamin
Christopher Kenneth
Christopher Myles
My brother is Christopher Isaac and my brother-in-law is Christopher David
I prefer Christopher. I went to school with an awful Matthew and the name still bugs me.
I would use Christopher Edward
I prefer Christopher. I went to school with an awful Matthew and the name still bugs me.
I would use Christopher Edward
I'm not wild about Christopher exactly, but I do like it and I sure like it better than Matthew. I have always hated Matthew, though Matt is a nn I don't mind.
I prefer Christopher to go by Chris, the full name all the time feels prissy.
Christophr James
Christopher David
Christopher Paul
I prefer Christopher to go by Chris, the full name all the time feels prissy.
Christophr James
Christopher David
Christopher Paul