What is the Significance of Choosing a Saint's Name?

[Willing_Spirit]

I was reading in another thread that this isn’t always done. However, when it is done at Baptism and Confirmation, what is the significance? Is that saint’s intercession for you more powerful than that of others’? If the name your parents chose at Baptism is different than the one you choose at Confirmation, what does it mean for your relationship with each saint? Does one replace the role of the other?

At the time of my Confirmation, I didn’t really care to understand much about the Church. Consequently, I just chose the saint with my given name. Is there a bond to honor or could I regard a different saint that I’ve found an affinity for as my chosen saint?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

You can pick any saint you like for your patron, any time. There are no rules.

Taking a saint’s name at Confirmation is just supposed to be choosing a saint you feel drawn to and to whom you can pray or model yourself after. Their intercession isn’t more powerful than other saints. And not all places observe the custom of having people choose confirmation saints.

At Baptism, the same applies, except that parents would be choosing a saint name for a baby. Often it’s the parents’ favorite saint. It’s also an optional custom; not every baby gets a saint name, and even if he does (let’s say he’s named John), the name might be because his dad, grandpa, uncle, or the mom’s favorite movie actor is named John, or because the parents like the name, and not because of a saint named John.