baptismal name

Example Sentences

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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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for baptismal name
Noun
  • Even then, the first name that popped up was indeed Kravitz’s.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Focus group participants were identified only by their first name and last initial.
    Halle Troadec, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • The twins were given names based on their personalities, according to the release.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Famously, the original title of Annie Hall was Anhedonia (meaning an inability to experience pleasure), but was changed to reflect Keaton’s dominant presence (and her actual family name, Hall).
    Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Beckham, a marketeer to her core and fully aware of the power of the family name, offered deeply personal stories to go with each fragrance.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His ex-wife reverted to her maiden name earlier this month when Andrew relinquished the use of his royal titles, including Duke of York.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The actress' daughter also filed to legally change her last name to Neuens — her birth mother's maiden name — after being removed from Rosie's will in January.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Both Prince William and Prince Harry later honored their mother by giving their daughters, Princess Charlotte and Princess Lilibet, the middle name of Diana.
    Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Neo-soul is in her blood, her mom introduced her to Lauryn Hill’s music, and Olivia’s middle name, Lauren, is actually a tribute to Hill.
    Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Baptismal name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baptismal%20name. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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