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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Breanna, who only shared her first name, took to Reddit, posting under the handle u/Gravyboat44, to share an image of what her son had been working on.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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That includes Perrin Matthews and his wife, who declined to share her first name, live in the next apartment block over from where the shooting occurred.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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At a community celebration, the lions were given names rooted in tradition and community significance—Chisama Kabobole, after a revered chief; Katimbilwa Mali, honoring a respected sub-chieftainess; and Sufina, after the NTCP’s environmental education program.—
Sarah Kingdom,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Because of this and his family name, Arch’s recruiting process was set to be a media circus, but with the help of his parents, Arch and his family shut that down to maintain his focus on making the best decision.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
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While the Lynch family name is known throughout metro Detroit for funeral homes, Paddy Lynch, now 41, and the third generation to work in the family business, is also an entrepreneur who is making a name for himself in unlikely fields.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The choice to use her mother’s maiden name was both personal tribute and strategic positioning.—
Angela Lei,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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Emily previously explained that Gibson is her middle name and her mother's maiden name, and Kyle is Tyler's grandmother's last name.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Madelaine — who goes professionally by her middle name, West — signed with the talent agency Gersh in August 2025, per Variety.—
Francesca Gariano,
People.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Horror is — and always should be — Halloween Horror Nights’ middle name.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baptismal name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baptismal%20name. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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