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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Before the driver arrives, riders are given information, including the driver's first name, photo and vehicle details, including the make, model, color and license plate.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Fariba, a woman who asked to be identified by only her first name out of security concerns, was headed to Izmir in western Turkey to wait out the war with her son.—
Serra Yedikardes,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
White and Lil Baby, whose given name is Dominique Jones, got into an argument, The San Francisco Standard said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The musician, whose given name is LaRussell Dwayne Thomas, has quickly gone from releasing his music independently to being signed to one of the biggest labels in the world.—
Georgia Dawkins,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In fact, the Drive doesn't even include the tent stake puller at the center of the model family name.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
1 Mar. 2026
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Britain’s King George V changed the family name from Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Windsor in 1917, and initiated legislation to strike out the titles of princes and lords who had backed the Germans.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Bucher also introduced Epstein to Varvara Corcos (at the time going by her maiden name Russkova), a partner at venture capital firm GVA Capital.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
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The writer’s earlier novels were published under her maiden name, Lizzie Pook.—
Diane Garrett,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Giselle, who asked to be identified by her middle name to protect her family, said both parents now spend most of their time hiding at home.—
Anna Heqimi,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
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Kardashian explained that True’s name came from her grandfather’s middle name.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Baptismal name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baptismal%20name. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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