Priest has give blessing to include a new 1st name for our child the day after she was baptised/christened, moving the names we choose to middle names

  • Thread starter Thread starter Baz123
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
B

Baz123

Guest
Priest has given his blessing to include a new 1st name for our child the day after she was baptised/christened as we can’t settle on the name as a 1st giving name and it is not a Christian name, after speaking to the priest we are thinking of keeping the names however’ moving the names we choose to middle names? I’m worried including a new 1st name which will be a christen name however it was not a name mentioned in her christening/baptism, when asked what name do you give we replied only the names we are now thinking of moving to middle names will this take away from her baptism? as I know from reading someone can’t be re baptism, am also confused as some posts say there is no need for any name in baptism As a name is not required nor used but why are parents asked what name do you give this child in baptism? And can you baptise a child with only middle names later adding their 1st name which they will be known as? The baby has not even legally registered as yet and the priest has not filled in her name into the records due to our doubt around her 1st name he also said he thinks we are doing the right thing as he too is not fussed in the name choice and moving it to a middle name he said is fine, we are so worried so any advise is greatly welcomed

Any advise would be greatly appreciate
 
Last edited:
I am kind of confused.

Are you wanting to change your child’s name from what was entered in the Baptismal Register?
 
Baz123 said:
Priest has given his blessing to include a new 1st name for our child the day after she was baptised/christened as we can’t settle on the name as a 1st giving name and it is not a Christian name, after speaking to the priest we are thinking of keeping the names however’ moving the names we choose to middle names? I’m worried including a new 1st name which will be a christen name however it was not a name mentioned in her christening/baptism, when asked what name do you give we replied only the names we are now thinking of moving to middle names will this take away from her baptism? as I know from reading someone can’t be re baptism, am also confused as some posts say there is no need for any name in baptism As a name is not required nor used but why are parents asked what name do you give this child in baptism? And can you baptise a child with only middle names later adding their 1st name which they will be known as? The baby has not even legally registered as yet and the priest has not filled in her name into the records due to our doubt around her 1st name he also said he thinks we are doing the right thing as he too is not fussed in the name choice and moving it to a middle name he said is fine, we are so worried so any advise is greatly welcomed

Any advise would be greatly appreciate
Click to expand...
@Baz123

Your cherished baby is also precious to your priest. As tiny as she is, she’s also part of his flock. You can trust that he’d never let her somehow get lost in Church records. Since you said that he’s not yet filled her name into the records because he understands your doubt, you can be assured that he will do so as soon as you decide upon her name. It isn’t unusual, nor something to worry about. Sometimes babies are simply called “Baby Smith,” or “Baby Lopez,” until a full name is decided upon, and THEN the correct name, date, etc, are entered into the Baptism Register. Rest easy and rejoice in this wonderful time! It will be okay! God knows and loves His children, and He knows that you’ve had her baptized. ❤️❤️❤️
 
Changing your daughter’s baptismal name won’t “unbaptize” her. That isn’t even possible!
 
Whatever her name, God know who your daughter is,
and it is this living God who blesses your daughter with the Sacraments.
Many of us change part of our name when we marry.
A name change doesn’t invalidate who you are before God.
Nor regarding your little daughter.
God bless your family .
 
The things for a valid Sacrament:

Intention -

Form - the words “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” as long as those words are in there, it is valid.

Matter - water and a living human

The name spoken is not one of those vital things.

An emergency baptism can be done on a total stranger where you do not know their name.

The name recorded is important because that record is permanent and will be used for all of your child’s life, her Confirmation, her Marriage or Religious Professions, all will be part of that record. Should she ever legally change her name, that will need to be done in her Sacramental record as well.
 
That’s basically what I was going to say. Naming the child is an important part of the ceremony (it goes back to the old Testament when God changed people’s names when he gave them a new mission). So while it is important symbolically, it has no impact on the validity of the sacrament.

One way to look at it is that many people change their name throughout their lives. Religious often take a new name when professing vows, women often change their last names at marriage and some cultures change or add a name at confirmation. The name change signifies a new chapter in a person’s life, but it is the sacrament (or vows) that make the spiritual impact,; not the symbolic name change.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top