Definition of christen

The word "christen" originates from the Old English phrase "cristenan," which means "to baptize" or "to make Christian." This phrase is derived from the name of Jesus Christ, "Christ," and the suffix "-en," which forms a verb indicating the act of making or doing something. In Middle English (circa 11th-15th centuries), the word "christen" emerged as the verb form of "cristenan." It initially referred to the act of baptizing someone, as a sign of their conversion to Christianity. Over time, the meaning of "christen" expanded to include the idea of naming or dedicating someone, often in a ceremonial context. Today, the word "christen" is commonly used in many languages to refer to the process of giving a name or blessing to a ship, an event, or an individual, often with religious or symbolic significance.