Changing baptismal and confirmation names?

[mgreen77]

I was given my baptismal and confirmation names as a child. But a few years ago, I legally changed my first and middle names.

Are there any spiritual consequences to changing my first name since I was baptized as another name? Is there anything I should do? Is it sinful to do (which never occured to me at the time I changed it)?

Also, my confirmation name was chosen by my parents to honor a relative, and to be honest has never resonated with me. And for reasons I’ve mentioned elsewhere, it may only cause confusion for others and be inappropriate now. Is it possible for me to change my confirmation name to a saint I’ve always felt a kinship with?

 

[Bl_Pope_Pius_IX]

I was given my baptismal and confirmation names as a child. But a few years ago, I legally changed my first and middle names.

Are there any spiritual consequences to changing my first name since I was baptized as another name? Is there anything I should do? Is it sinful to do (which never occured to me at the time I changed it)?

Also, my confirmation name was chosen by my parents to honor a relative, and to be honest has never resonated with me. And for reasons I’ve mentioned elsewhere, it may only cause confusion for others and be inappropriate now. Is it possible for me to change my confirmation name to a saint I’ve always felt a kinship with?

Hello mgreen77,

First I’ll give a brief rundown on MY situation, and why I was drawn to this thread.

First of all, when I was eight years of age, I was baptized, confirmed and received my First Holy Communion. I wasn’t very familiar with the saints, I went to a public school, had a Protestant mother, and a non-practicing Catholic father. I did know Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I chose the last one - John. I am now regretting this decision, as I have matured greatly since then. My devotions have changed.

Fastforward a few years. I am a traditional parishioner at a liberal Parish. I asked my Pastor if there was any way that my Confirmation name could be changed. He replied “yes.” I asked him how, was there any ceremony? He replied “No one will know if you tell them a different name.” long story short, I left that Parish soon after. I did ask my mor “center” Pastor the same question he responded that technically, there are no records. He got off topic as usual, and I resorted to asking my religion teacher. She said that her sons also had a change of devotions. Her son took the name Francis, but later added Michael “Francis-Michael” was his Confirmation name.

I have decided to deal with it, until I can officially change my Confirmation name to Pius. I cannot help you with the baptismal name problem you have, but I do not think (and I may be, and hope I am, wrong) you can change your Confirmation name.

I hope I have helped, God bless.

~ Pius :knight1:

 

[diggerdomer]

Are there any spiritual consequences to changing my first name since I was baptized as another name? Is there anything I should do? Is it sinful to do (which never occured to me at the time I changed it)?

No.

Also, my confirmation name was chosen by my parents to honor a relative, and to be honest has never resonated with me. And for reasons I’ve mentioned elsewhere, it may only cause confusion for others and be inappropriate now. Is it possible for me to change my confirmation name to a saint I’ve always felt a kinship with?

No.

 

[puzzleannie]

I was given my baptismal and confirmation names as a child. But a few years ago, I legally changed my first and middle names.

Are there any spiritual consequences to changing my first name since I was baptized as another name? Is there anything I should do? Is it sinful to do (which never occured to me at the time I changed it)?

A Is it possible for me to change my confirmation name to a saint I’ve always felt a kinship with?

no no and, no
your baptismal and confirmation names have no bearing on your legal name if it is different. but the sacramental record cannot be changed, except to make note of the legal name change. you may want to ask your baptismal parish to do that if you foresee a future need to ask for a notation of your baptism. That still won’t change your baptismal name. No there is no sin involved on anyone’s part. for instance in many countries a woman’s legal name changes upon marriage but that does not affect her baptismal name, and records of subsequent sacraments will reflect that baptismal name, not her married name.

 

[Chatter163]

I did ask my more “center” Pastor the same question he responded that technically, there are no records.

I realize that, as others here have stated, there are no legal ramifications, nor can one change one’s baptismal or confirmation records (same issue with a desire to change godparents). However, as a technical point, my confirmation certificate DOES list my confirmation name, so there is a record.

 

[Phemie]

I realize that, as others here have stated, there are no legal ramifications, nor can one change one’s baptismal or confirmation records (same issue with a desire to change godparents). However, as a technical point, my confirmation certificate DOES list my confirmation name, so there is a record.

Taking a confirmation name is not part of the rite so some registers don’t have a space for recording that. I know that in this parish there is no mention of confirmation name and our preparation emphasizes the importance of your baptismal name.

 

[Chatter163]

Taking a confirmation name is not part of the rite so some registers don’t have a space for recording that. I know that in this parish there is no mention of confirmation name and our preparation emphasizes the importance of your baptismal name.

The phrase “taking a confirmation name” is dubious in this context. The rite of confirmation does not include someone changing his or her name, if that is what you mean. However, it does include the bishop stating the confirmand’s name “**N…………… be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” **In most churches the confirmand either states his or her name when coming before the bishop, or hands a card to the priest assisting the bishop, which contains the name. If it is a separate confirmation name, that is the name used by the bishop (or priest) while he annoints the confirmand.

 

[Phemie]

The phrase “taking a confirmation name” is dubious in this context. The rite of confirmation does not include someone changing his or her name, if that is what you mean. However, it does include the bishop stating the confirmand’s name “**N…………… be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” **In most churches the confirmand either states his or her name when coming before the bishop, or hands a card to the priest assisting the bishop, which contains the name. If it is a separate confirmation name, that is the name used by the bishop (or priest) while he annoints the confirmand.

My point was that there is no requirement for any name other than the baptismal name. I had never even heard of this small ‘t’ tradition until I came to this parish. I was surprised upon hearing of it since I’d never experienced it although my two brothers and I as well as my own three children were all confirmed, and I was a confirmation sponsor for my goddaughter – this in several different parishes and dioceses.

 

[puzzleannie]

I realize that, as others here have stated, there are no legal ramifications, nor can one change one’s baptismal or confirmation records (same issue with a desire to change godparents). However, as a technical point, my confirmation certificate DOES list my confirmation name, so there is a record.

yes the confirmation record book does have a column for confirmation name, but taking a new name for confirmation is not required for the rite, many parishes do not include it on the certificate because it is not required, but still it cannot be changed once it is part of the record. the only exception is that a baptismal record can be amended, not changed, to show the new name of a person who has been adopted, but the original information stays there yet anytime a new record is requested only the new name will appear.

 

[Chatter163]

yes the confirmation record book does have a column for confirmation name, but taking a new name for confirmation is not required for the rite, many parishes do not include it on the certificate because it is not required, but still it cannot be changed once it is part of the record. the only exception is that a baptismal record can be amended, not changed, to show the new name of a person who has been adopted, but the original information stays there yet anytime a new record is requested only the new name will appear.

I think I get what is being said here, but the lack of capital letters makes the text run together, so I am not sure. Sorry.

 

[Chatter163]

My point was that there is no requirement for any name other than the baptismal name. I had never even heard of this small ‘t’ tradition until I came to this parish. I was surprised upon hearing of it since I’d never experienced it although my two brothers and I as well as my own three children were all confirmed, and I was a confirmation sponsor for my goddaughter – this in several different parishes and dioceses.

I can assure you that it is a widespread custom. It is not universal, but it is quite widespread, as a simple google will demonstrate.

 

[puzzleannie]

I think I get what is being said here, but the lack of capital letters makes the text run together, so I am not sure. Sorry.

sorry I broke my fingers some time ago so often when typing the punctuation and shift keys are not responding
can I clarify anything? if you have a question about your own sacramental records the place to begin is your baptismal parish, and only you, no one else, can do this

 

[The_Old_Medic]

In fact, your baptismal name, and your confirmation name, can be changed for valid reasons.

This is done all the time when a baptized Catholic Child is adopted, and given a different name. The baptismal record is changed, to show the new parents names and the new name of the child. (My wife and her younger sister have both the original, and the changed baptismal records that were made up in their case. The original record shows the names of her birth parents, and the names that they chose for their two daughters. The changed record shows the name of their adoptive parents, and their new fore and surnames.)

Write to the parish where you were baptized, sending them a copy of the legal change of name, and ask to have your record changed. This should not be a problem.

 

[mgreen77]

In fact, your baptismal name, and your confirmation name, can be changed for valid reasons…

For what it’s worth, my childhood parish tells me they’ll change my recorded Baptismal Name once they receive my Court Order for the name change

Yay!

No mention about the Confirmation name though…

 

[dconklin]

When we choose a Confirmation name we should be choosing a saint that has special meaning for us. Someone we can look up to and follow their example. Sure, sometimes the name may be chosen for you. If the name is recorded by the parish, it is only that - a record. You do not take it legally and I reason to believe St. Peter does not call you by that name when you are to pass through the Pearly Gates.

We can find a saint at anytime that has a special meaning to us. You can even ask people to refer to you by that name - if you so choose.

 

[puzzleannie]

In fact, your baptismal name, and your confirmation name, can be changed for valid reasons.

This is done all the time when a baptized Catholic Child is adopted, and given a different name. The baptismal record is changed, to show the new parents names and the new name of the child. (My wife and her younger sister have both the original, and the changed baptismal records that were made up in their case. The original record shows the names of her birth parents, and the names that they chose for their two daughters. The changed record shows the name of their adoptive parents, and their new fore and surnames.)

Write to the parish where you were baptized, sending them a copy of the legal change of name, and ask to have your record changed. This should not be a problem.

as I said, this is an example of the only way the record could be amended (not changed) and you would need to supply the court documents to your baptismal parish (or the parents of a minor). The original record is not changed, but the new information is amended, a new record prepared, and any subsequent request for sacramental records will show only the new information.

 

[mgreen77]

Aside from weddings, are there any other occasions where a church would request to see Baptismal Records?

 

[Phemie]

Aside from weddings, are there any other occasions where a church would request to see Baptismal Records?

When a child asks to receive First Communion or Confirmation, particularly in a parish other than where he/she was baptized. I know that Catholic schools request students’ certificates of Baptism. And of course a check of a man’s records would be done before ordination.

 

[mgreen77]

Should the Baptismal Record reflect one’s actual, legal name before someone participates in sacraments or attends mass “as a practicing Catholic?”

I realize the last name may change with marriage, but is there any sin or breaking of protocols to NOT change (ammend) one’s Baptismal Record if the first and middle names are legally changed since baptism?

 

[Phemie]

Should the Baptismal Record reflect one’s actual, legal name before someone participates in sacraments or attends mass “as a practicing Catholic?”

I realize the last name may change with marriage, but is there any sin or breaking of protocols to NOT change (ammend) one’s Baptismal Record if the first and middle names are legally changed since baptism?

Even if she has assumed her husband’s surname after marriage, a woman’s baptismal certificate is issued in her maiden name, just as her maiden name is recorded in the baptismal record of her children.

Unless you are using an unamended baptismal record for fraudulent purposes I don’t see where there could be any sin in it. It may cause you some problems though, if it’s ever used for ID purposes (in Canada a certificate of baptism may be used as a supporting piece of identification in situations where two pieces of ID are required).