Frequency: (328)
(number of times this surname appears in a sample database of 88.7 million names, representing one third of the 1997 US population)
Italian: from the personal name Cristiano, Latin Christianus ‘follower of Christ’ (see Christian). In the Tarentine and Sicilian dialects of Italy cristiano is a complimentary term for a clever, judicious person.
GIVEN NAMES: Italian 30%. Antonio (5), Franco (2), Pasquale (2), Silvano (2), Vito (2), Antimo, Enrico, Fortunato, Francesco, Gennaro, Nino, Nunzio, Pietro, Renato, Rodolfo, Rosario.
See the Key to the Dictionary or consult the General Introduction for further explanation.
