Chip

At a Glance

Meaning

A pet form of Christopher or Charles; also a nickname for a son who shares his father's name (as in 'a chip off the old block')

Origin

English (diminutive)

Gender

Primarily used for boys

Pronunciation

CHIPListen

Chip is an English diminutive with two separate roots: it's used as a pet form of Christopher, and just as often as a pet form of Charles. It also has a second, unrelated use as a nickname for a son who shares his father's name — the "chip off the old block" sense. If you've only heard it tied to Christopher, that's just part of the picture.

Meaning & Origin of Chip

Meaning: A pet form of Christopher or Charles; also a nickname for a son who shares his father's name (as in 'a chip off the old block').

Origin: English (diminutive).

A common claim: Chip is often said to be simply short for Christopher Actually: It's equally used as a pet form of Charles, and separately as a nickname for a son who shares his father's name, not just a Christopher diminutive.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Chip

Popularity of Chip

Chip peaked at #593 in 1962, when 171 baby boys got the name. By 2024 it had fallen to #3272, with just 36 boys given the name that year.

Names Like Chip

These names have followed a similar path to Chip in U.S. popularity over the years.

• Augusto
• Stuart
• Ken
• Sandy
• Devi
• Cami

FAQ

What does the name Chip mean?

A pet form of Christopher or Charles; also a nickname for a son who shares his father’s name (as in ‘a chip off the old block’). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Chip?

Chip is pronounced CHIP (IPA: /ʧɪp/).

Is Chip a popular name right now?

Chip peaked at #593 in 1962 and is ranked #3272 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1942–2024.)

Make Chip Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Chip, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.