as in first name
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Recent Examples of baptismal name
Toni is an abbreviation of her baptismal name, Anthony.
—
Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
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
Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baptismal name
Noun
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The first name that caught his eye was Nicklas Lidstrom, the great Detroit Red Wing, whom Werenski idolized as a boy growing up in Michigan.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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The postcard was addressed to my first name only.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Digital Underground originated in Oakland, California, in 1987, founded by Shock G (given name Gregory Jacobs), Chopmaster J (Jimi Dright) and Kenny-K (Kenneth Waters), and released their first album in 1990.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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The seven kittens were given names meant to honor where they were born.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Bellini, the refreshing Italian drink made with sparkling Prosecco and white peach puree, is synonymous with the Cipriani family name.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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Donald Newhouse, the billionaire newspaper publisher who helped oversee one of America’s most powerful media empires and whose family name remains synonymous with Condé Nast, has died at 96.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
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Brown, whose memorable, golf-adjacent first name originates from his mother’s maiden name, is the latest teenage phenom in a sport teeming with young talent.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
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Their mom, though, legally dropped West and went back to her maiden name in 2022.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
Noun
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Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honor her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales.—
Audrey Schmidt,
PEOPLE,
4 June 2026
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Raised by his mother in the mountains of Harlan, Kentucky, the adolescent Pritchett chose to join his middle name and his stepfather’s last to form a new identity, that of Arthur Smith.—
Jonathan Rowe,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baptismal name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baptismal%20name. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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