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
-
The elegant new stations have cocktail bars named Mary Mary, apparently in reference to Henry Flagler’s first and third wives, who had the same first name.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
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Elham asked to be identified by her first name due to security concerns, as did other Iranians in the country who spoke with CNN.—
Leila Gharagozlou,
CNN Money,
19 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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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
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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
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The baby's middle name is the maiden name of McAnally's grandmother.—
Nancy Kruh,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Her mother, who attended the University of Kansas, was born with the maiden name Kerr.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
She was given the middle name to honor her grandmother.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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Hailie Jade honored her father by lending Em’s first name, Marshall, to her baby boy’s middle name.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Baptismal name.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/baptismal%20name. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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