He was the second son of Bernhard III of Baden-Baden and his wife Countess Franziska of Brienne and Luxembourg.

When Christopher II came of age in 1556, he renounced his right to a part of Baden-Baden to his older brother Philibert in exchange for an annual allowance of 4000 guilders.

He also received Rodemachern as an apanage, making him the founder of the elder Baden-Rodemachern line.

He then returned to Rodemachern, where he built himself a palace and led a wasteful life.

His brother-in-law King John III of Sweden enfeoffed him with the island of Ösel.