RCIA candidate's question about baptism and confirmation names

[Chiro]

Hello. I’m sponsoring someone for RCIA this year and they have a question about baptism and confirmation names.

She will be baptised and received into the church this year. She has chosen Rose as her baptismal name. But she also wishes to know whether she can choose a confirmation name as well (which would be Elizabeth).

I thought this would be a good place to ask!

 

[Horton]

In my experience with RCIA generally one chooses a saint name for confirmation. I’ve never seen anyone choosing a different name for baptism.

If she likes the name Elizabeth there are some saints named Elizabeth.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

My understanding is that another name is chosen for baptism only if the original name is anti-Christian. (We once had a child in RCIA with a name like Mooncloud or Rainbow – I don’t remember exactly. We checked with the pastor about whether she needed another name for baptism and he said no, since her name was secular but not anti-Christian.)

Taking confirmation names is done in some places but not others, so it’s not required. I’ve never had anyone ask about choosing a different name for confirmation when they’re also being baptized.

 

[redal]

My understanding is that another name is chosen for baptism only if the original name is anti-Christian. (We once had a child in RCIA with a name like Mooncloud or Rainbow –

I wouldn’t consider “Rainbow” anti-Christian…it is the sign of God’s covenant with Noah.

 

[otjm]

I would consider “Rainbow” anti-Christian…it is the sign of God’s covenant with Noah.

I think you meant you “wouldn’t”?

My facile fingers do similar things…

 

[redal]

My facile fingers do similar things…

Thanks…before the internet I only had to worry about tripping over my tongue!

 

[redal]

Is this a typo?

yep…thanks…I fixed it…sometimes the hurrieder I go the behinder I get.

 

[otjm]

When a baby is born, most parents (I have not met one to the contrary, but…) have already named their baby, and that is the name given at baptism. In 25+ years of involvement with RCIA, I have never seen any adult baptized by name except their given name.

That does not mean it cannot be done, but it certainly appears to be how the Church approaches “naming” in baptism. I was named after a priest who was killed in WW2 in the Pacific; I have my doubts my dad (who knew the priest) presumed him to be a saint; it was far more “in memory of” - just as many parents name a child after a family member.

 

[otjm]

You too? I thought it was only me living under that “curse”!