Called by Christian Name?

[Madaglan]

In traditional Catholicism, is there a tradition of calling someone by their Christian name rather than their born name (if not a Christian name)? I know that when I was confirmed in the Catholic Church, I had to choose a saint’s name because my given name is not that of a saint. I chose St. George. In the Orthodox Church, the Orthodox are called by their Christian name. So, I have a friend whose Christian name is Symeon, but whose legal name is Cliff, etc.

I was wondering if the West has this tradition as well, especially in the cases of converts. Thanks!

 

[ATeutonicKnight]

In traditional Catholicism, is there a tradition of calling someone by their Christian name rather than their born name (if not a Christian name)? I know that when I was confirmed in the Catholic Church, I had to choose a saint’s name because my given name is not that of a saint. I chose St. George. In the Orthodox Church, the Orthodox are called by their Christian name. So, I have a friend whose Christian name is Symeon, but whose legal name is Cliff, etc.

I was wondering if the West has this tradition as well, especially in the cases of converts. Thanks!

This is a very interesting question. I never knew that people in the Orthodox Church were called by their Christian names instead of their actual names. This is a very cool idea. However, to answer your question, no we do not. Some might as a personal devotion for themselves, but it is not a rule of the Church, and it is definitely not a common practice, unless you join a Religious Order.

 

[puzzleannie]

In
I was wondering if the West has this tradition as well, especially in the cases of converts. Thanks!

hey guy welcome back long time no hear

It is not required by canon law that a candidate choose a new name for baptism or confirmation unless the given name is inimical to faith. Even most names that were origininally Roman or Greek, for their gods for instance, have since been “christianized” since many of those early converts to the faith went on to be martyrs and saints.

Even if you choose a new confirmation name it does not change your given or legal name unless you go through whatever the civil law process is in your country.

 

[Madaglan]

hey guy welcome back long time no hear

It is not required by canon law that a candidate choose a new name for baptism or confirmation unless the given name is inimical to faith. Even most names that were origininally Roman or Greek, for their gods for instance, have since been “christianized” since many of those early converts to the faith went on to be martyrs and saints.

Even if you choose a new confirmation name it does not change your given or legal name unless you go through whatever the civil law process is in your country.

Good to see you’re still around, too. I’ve been busy but manage to post here from time to time.

Regarding names of gods being sanctified through the death of martyrs, yes–and interestingly, I recently came across the mythological story of Hippolytus, who was a young man who rejected the advances of a married woman, was falsely accused of rape, and was therefore killed. I wonder if Christians were especially accepting of this name because Hippolytus could be seen as standing up for chastity and being unjustly killed. I’m thinking especially of Hippolytus of Rome.

 

[Paul_theApostle]

I know many Greeks whos baptism name is say Panagioti or Demetri and they call themselves Peter or Jim,one Orthodox convert i know is called Macarius in baptism but to his old friends and in society he uses his old western name

If the Greeks speak greek to eachother,they will call him Demetri or Panagioti or Elia
or when my relatives speak italian to my mum they call her by her real italian name but in english she uses a totally different name

did you get baptised in the Catholic Church or protestant church as a baby and didnt recieve a Christian name?

An Orthodox preacher used to say even if we recieve a name in baptism that is not from a saint,it is ok because we could become a saint ourselves and therefore make the name Holy

anyhow im not sure if all this has anything to do with your question but i know there can be alot of issues with names and their english translation,or if one has an ancient Christian name then they use some modern secular name to go by

 

[TrueLight]

I know many Greeks whos baptism name is say Panagioti or Demetri and they call themselves Peter or Jim,one Orthodox convert i know is called Macarius in baptism but to his old friends and in society he uses his old western name

If the Greeks speak greek to eachother,they will call him Demetri or Panagioti or Elia
or when my relatives speak italian to my mum they call her by her real italian name but in english she uses a totally different name

did you get baptised in the Catholic Church or protestant church as a baby and didnt recieve a Christian name?

An Orthodox preacher used to say even if we recieve a name in baptism that is not from a saint,it is ok because we could become a saint ourselves and therefore make the name Holy

anyhow im not sure if all this has anything to do with your question but i know there can be alot of issues with names and their english translation,or if one has an ancient Christian name then they use some modern secular name to go by

So I took St Michael’s name. What am I to do?

Maybe I’ll go by Mica or Michaela (ugg).

 

[saribee]

My cousin is Eastern Orthodox. He did not have a legal middle name, so his confirmation name is now his middle name. He goes by his confirmation name at church. When he was still in the orthodox high school, he went by that name as well.

My middle name is Elizabeth and I am planning on taking St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s name when I am confirmed this Easter. I’ve always thought I should have been named Elizabeth…

 

[Paul_theApostle]

So I took St Michael’s name. What am I to do?

Maybe I’ll go by Mica or Michaela (ugg).

i Gather thats you confirmation name,

i dont know many people who call themselves by their confirmation name

Anyhow the girl equivalant name to Michael on the net is Michelle

“The meaning of the name Michelle is Who Is Like God?”

same meaning as Michael (the archangel)

Michelle is a common name here,my aunties called Michelle,i dont know if its common where your from