Comments on: Pope Argues for Christian Names

By: Jocon307

Jocon307 — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:45:38 +0000

I did what my mom did, which is give the saint’s name as the second/middle name. One must have a saint’s name though, that I firmly believe.

By: No Blog is an Island – 1.12.11 « Nate Navigates the Bible

No Blog is an Island – 1.12.11 « Nate Navigates the Bible — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:40:04 +0000

[...] The Pope urges Biblical baby names as a means of witness and of carrying on tradition. [...]

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:44:18 +0000

I whole-heartedly agree with the argument of this thread. Unfortunately, the pope didn’t make it: the article cited uses a sloppy translation. He was commenting on the significance of the name “Christian” given at baptism, not of a “Christian name.”

By: Assistant Village Idiot

Assistant Village Idiot — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:37:47 +0000

Linguists who study onamastics have noted that unusual and invented names are more common in cultures that do not practice infant baptism. This does bleed over into paedobaptist naming patterns eventually.

Most cultures have some tradition that includes naming after ancestors, admired historical figures, or admired figures from a generation older. I think it is important that children have some cultural connection in their name.

By: Michael PS

Michael PS — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:25:37 +0000

It was something of a tradition among the Catholic Remnant families in England to use the mediaeval anglicised version of saints’ names – Audrey for Etheldreda, Austin for Augustine, Bennet for Benedict, Foster for Vedast, Giles for Aegidius and, of course, Molly and Polly for Mary.

In part, it was a reaction against the Puritans’ use of OT Scriptural names; they celebrated Name Days, as much, or more, than birthdays, as a way of honouring their patron saints.

By: Fay Allinson

Fay Allinson — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:48:54 +0000

I love Biblical names, boys Adam, Isaiah, Seth,
etc etc for girls Rebecca, Rachel, Lydia etc etc
beautiful traditional names that will last forever.

By: jm

jm — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:36:33 +0000

I love Polycarp – I had forgotten about that awesome name – in grade school, a classmate lobbied for us to pray to Polycarp on Fridays during Lent. Sister Judith would have none of it.

I have a particular affection for the name Dympha, patron saint of the mentally ill (and I pray for her intercession for those who were killed in the Tucson shooting).

By: Mya

Mya — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:51:24 +0000

I still like the name of the child of a former editor–Faith Bottum. I’m just glad Nathaniel Hawthorne did not take that name first.

By: Buzz

Buzz — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:48:56 +0000

I do understand the Pope’s concern, though. We’ve had one too many Moon Units and Dweezils.

And can we do something about all the inane alternate spellings of otherwise common names? Keileigh!? Shean!? Krystall!? Elizzabet!?

By: Liam

Liam — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:23:34 +0000

The Ethiopian Church is full of saints names going back tot he 4th century.