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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baptismal name
Noun
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She and others who spoke with CNN for this story asked only to use their first name for privacy reasons.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
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Due to a reporting error, an earlier version of this story misspelled Nahida Bristy’s first name.—
Dan Sullivan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The seven kittens were given names meant to honor where they were born.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
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Choosing a last name or surname as a first name (or given name) is not a new tradition.—
Lisa Milbrand,
Parents,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His family name, going way back to Spain, was originally Cantenys before it got shortened.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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And Jimmy Carter’s brother Billy cashed in on the family name by selling beer.—
Bernard Condon,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After Bingham was born, Bellamy said that Bingham was his mother's maiden name, and Bing Russell was Kurt Russell's dad.—
Jessica Booth,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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Serafino — which is Cross’s mom’s maiden name — will open on the ground floor of a four-story residential building at the southwest corner of Washington and Albatross streets in Mission Hills.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Ryder’s middle name is Russell, in honor of Goldie Hawn’s partner of more than 40 years and Hudson’s father figure, Kurt Russell.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
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The profile used his middle name, Jacob.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baptismal name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baptismal%20name. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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