Author Topic: Question on Baptismal Names (Read 1033 times)

Dulcamara · « **on:** June 14, 2010, 10:55:58 AM »

I have a few questions about baptismal names.

Supposing someone is born into an atheist family, given a totally unchristian name, and later converts and is baptized. They have to choose a Catholic name, right? So, if they were then going to write their full name, where would they put their baptismal name? First? Or in the middle like a confirmation name?

Or if the person happens to have a Christian name when they convert, do they just keep their name without picking another? Or do they have to pick a new name for baptism?

I should probably know the answers to these questions, but sadly, I don't.

Matthew · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2010, 11:47:30 AM »

Well, I've actually met (mostly online) people who have converted and chosen a Christian name.

They keep their old given name in there somewhere (as a middle name usually), but I don't think there's any hard and fast rule about it.

A new Catholic should be happy to identify with a patron saint in heaven, and should look forward to starting a new life. A new life deserves a new name. (Saul --> Paul, Simon --> Peter, etc.)

Ask Spouse of Jesus what she would do, if her dream came true and she was baptized.

Think about it, though -- what do most pagans use for names? They're not naming after saints in heaven (or even "saints" in their own version of heaven) They usually have simple, degraded names, with meanings like "rice field", "worker", "on the farm", "short", etc.

Why not give that up in favor of a Saint's name?

spouse of Jesus · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2010, 12:42:19 PM »

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Ask Spouse of Jesus what she would do, if her dream came true and she was baptized.

Well, the name my parents gave me is recorded and can't be get rid of. But if it ever happens, I will expect people of my faith to call me by my baptismal name. But as I don't want any catholic name to be taken lightly or jokingly, my own family members will have to use my farsi name.

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Think about it, though -- what do most pagans use for names? They're not naming after saints in heaven (or even "saints" in their own version of heaven) They usually have simple, degraded names, with meanings like "rice field", "worker", "on the farm", "short", etc.

It is not the case here. My name means 'glorious beauty', my bother's means 'happy' etc.

Alexandria · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2010, 12:47:18 PM »

I don't know what is done today, but years ago, when a person would convert, they would henceforth be known by their new name; that is only if the name given them at birth wasn't a saints' name.

Vladimir · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2010, 04:49:53 AM »

What do you think about someone who doesn't have an English name, but his name is spelled and pronounced so similarly to an English name? Can I just choose a saint's name and go by it (unofficially at least)? My actual name isn't that bad of a name either, since it means "religious".

Catholic Samurai · « **Reply #5 on:** June 22, 2010, 09:04:12 PM »

With the exception of my surname, my name is totally made up of saints, but even the names of saints have meanings to. My baptismal names mean "increase from God" and "blessed, and my confirmation name means "Who is like unto God?", but my German surname means "the loud and clear". *And just so I can brag about it...* The deeper meaning of my mother's maiden name in the Spanish and Roman culture means "strength and power". My dad's name is that of a German saint, but it means "raging fire".

Vladimir · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2010, 05:50:31 AM »

What is the "raging fire" name?