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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Danish pharma firm Novo Nordisk, which also makes the top 100, is similarly known for a culture where employees call the CEO by their first name, and don’t feel pressure to stay at work late.—
Adam Gale,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
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The body art features Wilde's son Otis Alexander's first name on her right arm and daughter Daisy Josephine's on her left, both in a delicate font.—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Many comments centered on the absence of wrestling’s Hulk Hogan (given name Terry Bullea), while others mentioned the lack of Alice‘s Polly Holiday, even though her castmate, Linda Lavin, was included.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
14 Sep. 2025
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The twins were given names based on their personalities, according to the release.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Also endangering the family name and business is a crooked deal made by Byron Hedges (Jack Gleeson), an illegitimate cousin helping Guinness expand into America, that promises 15% of all American profits to the Fenian Brotherhood.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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The family name is kind of a big deal in Arlington.—
Rick Mauch,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Lorena, who now goes by her maiden name of Gallo, resides in Virginia with her daughter and partner of over 20 years and volunteers at an organization dedicated to helping survivors of domestic violence.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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Finlay was her mother's maiden name, and the surname for her famous grandmother, Marjorie Finlay.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The couple exclusively told PEOPLE that his middle name was an homage to Karp's late father.—
Sarah Title,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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The little boy’s middle name, Three, is a nod to the number his father wears on the back of his jersey.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baptismal name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baptismal%20name. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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