as in first name
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Recent Examples of baptismal name
Born with his baptismal name of Robert Francis Prevost, his papal name is more of a traditional choice — and one with a storied history.
—
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 9 May 2025
Of the 266 popes in history, 129 have chosen names different from their baptismal names.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
And that then became the custom, with only a handful of popes keeping their baptismal names since, including Marcellus II and Adrian VI, who both served as head of the church in the 16th century.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
While popes have the option of keeping their baptismal name, every pope for the last 470 years has chosen to change his name, usually to honor a predecessor and to signal their intention to emulate his example.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
Until last year, John Henry Newman, as he is known by his baptismal name, was studying to become a priest at a Roman Catholic seminary in Yangon.
—New York Times, 30 Mar. 2022
She was given the name Sister Seraphia and later returned to her baptismal name, Carol Estelle.
—Jacques Kelly, baltimoresun.com, 22 May 2021
These homages to Athelstan continued even through the series finale, in which the monk’s son, Alfred (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), gave the Viking’s son, Hvitserk (Marco Ilsø), the baptismal name of Athelstan in one of the show’s stirring final scenes.
—Sadie Gennis, Vulture, 11 Jan. 2021
He was later baptized and took the same baptismal name as Hakamada’s, Paulo, and added Miki, the name of a Japanese martyr.
—Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2019
Rachel Raposas, People.com, 9 May 2025
Of the 266 popes in history, 129 have chosen names different from their baptismal names.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
And that then became the custom, with only a handful of popes keeping their baptismal names since, including Marcellus II and Adrian VI, who both served as head of the church in the 16th century.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
While popes have the option of keeping their baptismal name, every pope for the last 470 years has chosen to change his name, usually to honor a predecessor and to signal their intention to emulate his example.
—Christopher Watson, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
Until last year, John Henry Newman, as he is known by his baptismal name, was studying to become a priest at a Roman Catholic seminary in Yangon.
—New York Times, 30 Mar. 2022
She was given the name Sister Seraphia and later returned to her baptismal name, Carol Estelle.
—Jacques Kelly, baltimoresun.com, 22 May 2021
These homages to Athelstan continued even through the series finale, in which the monk’s son, Alfred (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), gave the Viking’s son, Hvitserk (Marco Ilsø), the baptismal name of Athelstan in one of the show’s stirring final scenes.
—Sadie Gennis, Vulture, 11 Jan. 2021
He was later baptized and took the same baptismal name as Hakamada’s, Paulo, and added Miki, the name of a Japanese martyr.
—Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baptismal name
Noun
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This approach redefines personalization by going beyond first names in emails.—
David Boice,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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Rob Edwards, the writer and producer, and Robert Smalls, the iconic freedom fighter and legislator, share more than a first name.—
Ken Makin,
Christian Science Monitor,
10 June 2025
Noun
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Not even a year into Lai’s term, China has broken precedent by staging three large-scale exercises, which were given names to raise their profile and distinguish them from smaller drills.—
Bonny Lin,
Foreign Affairs,
15 May 2025
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This season, the turtles in long-term care were given names based on Greek mythology.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA TODAY,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The father-son duo discussed their respective careers on screen, from nude scenes to embracing the family name.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
3 June 2025
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His paternal grandfather had migrated to Pennsylvania from Ukraine, became a coal miner and changed the family name from Kapurik.—
Sam Roberts,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Lochte shares three children with Kayla, whose maiden name is Reid.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
4 June 2025
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The grandson of the benefactor whose maiden name christens the auditorium itself (The Fish Theater, which spawns a stream of awful fish puns as long as a whale), Jack was born into ballet and defends dance with every fiber of his being.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honor her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales.—
Audrey Schmidt,
People.com,
4 June 2025
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Hailey Bieber launched her skin care brand, Rhode Skin (which is named after her middle name, Rhode), in 2022 as a clean, affordable skin care line with its first products all under $30.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baptismal name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baptismal%20name. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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