How long has C.E. instead of A.D. been used? Who uses it most prevalently?

Answer 1

CE has come into vogue in the last ten years or so. I think it is most commonly used in academia.

I don't think Joe Blow on the street uses it, or could even tell you what it meant.

Answer 2

As a substitute for "Anno Domini", many people now use the abbreviation C.E. which is sometimes understood as meaning Common Era and sometimes as Christian Era. Correspondingly, as a substitute for "Before Christ", the abbreviation B.C.E. is used, which is understood either as Before the Common Era or Before the Christian Era. This terminology is preferred by academics for various reasons, but probably mainly because it need not be interpreted as making reference to the birth of Jesus Christ.

The term "Common Era" has been in use since the late 19th century. Indeed, in its article on "Chronology", the 1908 Catholic Encyclopedia uses the sentence: "Foremost among these [dating eras] is that which is now adopted by all civilized peoples and known as the Christian, Vulgar, or Common Era, in the twentieth century of which we are now living."

This terminology is seen by some Christians, and others, as a move by nonbelievers to make Christianity less popular. By contrast, the use of C.E. and B.C.E. is often presented in the academic community as a matter of sensitivity to those who are not Christians. That justification isn't accepted by some Muslims, some of whom accept that the A.D. era is based on the life of an important historical figure.

Oddly, almost no one uses the meaningful and historically correct name "Gregorian Calendar" or G.C. Yet not even the Catholic Church claims that Pope Gregory's calendar starts from the birth of Jesus. Most historians agree that Jesus of Nazareth was born year 4 or 5 before the start of the year chosen as the start of the Gregorian calendar.

Answer 3

C.E. came about I think in the last 10-15 years or so. It is a politically correct thing.