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Traditional Catholic Faith => The Sacred: Catholic Liturgy, Chant, Prayers => Topic started by: Cryptinox on April 11, 2021, 05:07:48 PM

Title: Should someone named "Muhammad" who converts change his name?
Post by: Cryptinox on April 11, 2021, 05:07:48 PM

I know that the 1917 code of canon law requires you to give your child a Christian name, but what about converts born with unchristian names? Are they bound to change it?

Title: Re: Should someone named "Muhammad" who converts change his name?
Post by: Viva Cristo Rey on April 11, 2021, 05:09:59 PM

They should choose new Christian name. 

Title: Re: Should someone named "Muhammad" who converts change his name?
Post by: SimpleMan on April 11, 2021, 07:44:58 PM

Good question.  Just to play the devil's advocate here, I wonder if it might be good to take a Christian name for one's first name, but keep "Muhammad" as a middle name, to demonstrate that someone can, indeed, convert from Islam to Catholicism.

The name "Muhammad" merely means "praiseworthy" in Arabic, just as "Bara(c)k" means "blessed" --- "Mubarak" is a common Arab name, even among Christians --- and "Hussein" simply means "beautiful".  You will see this name among Arab-Americans rendered as "Hassen", "Husson", "Husain", "Hassan", and so on.  There is nothing intrinsically wrong with any of these names.

Title: Re: Should someone named "Muhammad" who converts change his name?
Post by: Seraphina on April 11, 2021, 07:46:36 PM

Yes, they need a Christian baptismal name and later, a confirmation name.  As to whether they should legally change their name, probably, but I don’t think it necessary if it would create complicated business, financial, and danger for Muslim relatives.  If I had such a distinctly Muslim name, I’d certainly want others to call me by my Christian name.