Christa

Christa is a feminine given name of European origin. It is commonly used in German-speaking countries and in parts of Northern and Central Europe. The name originated as a contracted form of Christina or Christine, both ultimately derived from the Latin Christianus meaning “follower of Christ.”

Christa has several variants and related names, including Krista, Kristine, Christine, Christina, and Christin. The form Christa was especially popular in the mid- to late 20th century in German-speaking regions, though it is still in occasional use today. It has also been adopted in other languages with varying spellings.

Notable people named Christa include Christa McAuliffe, the American schoolteacher and astronaut who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986; Christa Päffgen, the German singer and actress who performed as Nico; and the East German writer Christa Wolf.

The name appears in literature and popular culture in various forms and remains part of the traditional naming repertoire in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.