Michael Brooks
Confirmation is a sacrament in the Catholic Church designed to strengthen the graces received at Baptism. Although it is not a requirement, some Catholics choose to adopt a new name, a confirmation name, during the sacrament. This custom has roots in Scripture and is most popular in certain countries, such as the United States. The chosen name is usually that of a saint and is intended to promote devotion to saints and express individuality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Custom | Relatively recent, but has roots in Scripture |
| Countries where it is practiced | Confined to certain countries, including the United States |
| History | During the first few centuries of Christianity, the sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated together with Baptism and the Eucharist |
| Reason for custom | Becoming a Christian often involved a conversion from paganism and the need for a Christian name in harmony with their new faith |
| Evidence in Scripture | There is evidence for receiving a new name at Baptism that goes back to the 3rd and 4th centuries |
| Biblical inspiration | Various episodes in the Bible where an individual received a new name when given a mission by God |
| Encouragement by the Church | The Church still encourages parents to give newborns saint names |
| Requirement | Not a requirement canonically or by the Vatican, but chosen name must not be "foreign to a Christian mentality" |
| Local customs | Different dioceses may have different customs, such as not allowing a Confirmation name if one's baptismal name is already a saint's name |
| Guidance | Local Church authority, priest, teacher, or Director of Religious Education |
| Choice of name | Often associated with the name of a saint, but can also be chosen based on personal preference or significance |
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What You'll Learn
- Confirmation names are not required, but they are popular in certain countries
- The custom of choosing a confirmation name is relatively recent but has roots in Scripture
- Confirmation names are often associated with saints' names
- The chosen name must not be foreign to a Christian mentality
- Some Catholics choose confirmation names to express individuality
Confirmation names are not required, but they are popular in certain countries
Confirmation names are not required in the Catholic Church, but they are a popular custom in certain countries. The practice of choosing a confirmation name is relatively recent, but it has roots in Scripture. During the first few centuries of Christianity, the sacraments of initiation—baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist—were celebrated together, and adults and children would receive a new name at baptism, often inspired by episodes in the Bible.
Over time, the sacrament of confirmation was separated from baptism in the Western Church, and it became customary to choose an additional "confirmation name" to signify the new grace given through confirmation. This custom is particularly popular in the United States, where many Catholics see it as an opportunity to express their individuality and strengthen their connection to a particular saint or blessed.
The choice of confirmation name is not governed by official Vatican rules, but by local Church authorities and dioceses, which may have different customs and guidelines. While some dioceses may discourage choosing a confirmation name if one's baptismal name is already a saint's name, others may emphasize the importance of selecting a saint's name to promote devotion to the saints.
When choosing a confirmation name, individuals are typically encouraged to select the name of a saint or blessed whom they admire for their Christian life of goodness, charity, and holiness. The name is meant to serve as an example and inspiration for the individual's spiritual journey. Some popular confirmation names include Mary, Kateri, Therese, Zelie, Xavier, and Gianna.
While confirmation names are not mandatory, they hold symbolic significance for many Catholics, representing a new identity in their faith and a deeper connection to the communion of saints.
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The custom of choosing a confirmation name is relatively recent but has roots in Scripture
The custom of choosing a confirmation name is a recent development in the Catholic Church, but it has roots in Scripture. Confirmation is a sacrament designed to strengthen the graces received at Baptism. In the past few decades, there has been a greater emphasis on choosing a confirmation name, which is usually the name of a saint. This custom is prevalent in certain countries, like the United States, and is not a requirement.
The roots of confirmation are found in the Church of the New Testament. In the Gospel of John, Christ speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. After his resurrection, Jesus breathed upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit, marking the start of the Pentecostal outpouring of the Spirit. The New Testament records the apostles bestowing the Holy Spirit upon others through the laying on of hands after a water bath. This is known as chrismation in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic churches.
During the early centuries of Christianity, the sacraments of initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist—were celebrated together. Adults and children converting to Christianity often chose new names to signify their new faith, inspired by biblical episodes where individuals received new names from God when given a mission. Over time, the sacrament of Confirmation became separated from Baptism in the Western Church, leading to the custom of adopting a confirmation name.
The age of confirmation has varied over the centuries, with delays from seven to twelve and then to fifteen years old. In the 18th century, French bishops began imparting confirmation only after the first Eucharistic communion to provide religious instruction to youth. This practice was changed by Pope Leo XIII in 1897, who requested confirmation be celebrated at an earlier age. However, his successor, Pope Pius X, lowered the age of first communion, resulting in confirmation being commonly administered to older children in middle or high school.
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Confirmation names are often associated with saints' names
Confirmation names are not a requirement in the Catholic Church, and individuals can choose to be confirmed under their baptised name. However, the custom of choosing a confirmation name is popular in certain countries, especially the United States. Confirmation names are often associated with saints' names, and this practice has roots in Scripture. During the first few centuries of Christianity, the sacraments of initiation were celebrated together, and converts often received a new name in harmony with their new faith. This practice was inspired by episodes in the Bible where an individual received a new name when given a mission by God.
The custom of choosing a confirmation name is designed to strengthen the grace received at baptism. It is an opportunity for young people to learn about the life of a saint and strive to conform their lives to their example. The chosen saint's name is often that of a saint the individual feels close to or shares a commonality with. For instance, a musician might choose St. Cecilia as their confirmation name, while a cook might choose St. Lawrence, the patron of cooks.
While there are no official Vatican rules regarding confirmation names, the chosen name should not be "foreign to a Christian mentality". It should not be contradictory to Catholic beliefs or alien to Christian sensibility. The name chosen is for life and should be that of a person admired for their Christian life of goodness, charity, and holiness.
The process of choosing a confirmation name can be an exciting journey of discovering how the name helps bring one closer to God. It is a way to embrace a "name in religion", signifying a new identity and expression of faith.
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The chosen name must not be foreign to a Christian mentality
Confirmation is a sacrament designed to strengthen the graces received at Baptism. In the United States, the celebration of Confirmation is often accompanied by the choosing of a "Confirmation name." This custom has become popular during the past century, but it is still confined to certain countries. The custom is a relatively recent one in the Catholic Church, but it has roots in Scripture.
During the first few centuries of Christianity, the three sacraments of initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist, were always celebrated together. This meant that converts to Christianity, who were often converting from paganism, received a Christian name in harmony with their new faith. There is evidence for receiving a new name at Baptism that goes back to the 3rd and 4th centuries. In many ways, this practice was inspired by various episodes in the Bible where an individual received a new name when given a mission by God.
The sacrament of Confirmation was eventually separated from Baptism in the Western Church and came to be celebrated when the child was older. This gave rise to the custom of having an additional "Confirmation name," signifying the new grace given to those being confirmed. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "in England, the practice of adopting a new name at confirmation was remembered after the Reformation." During the past few decades, an emphasis has been placed on choosing a Confirmation name, most often associated with the name of a saint. This is designed to give the young person an opportunity to learn about the saint's life and to strive to conform their lives to their example.
Therefore, the chosen name for Confirmation must not be foreign to a Christian mentality. It should be a name that is harmonious with the individual's new faith and reflects the grace of the sacrament. The name is often that of a saint, as this provides a model of Christian life for the person being confirmed to emulate. By choosing a saint's name, the individual can learn about the saint's life and strive to live their life according to their example, thus strengthening their relationship with God and the Catholic Church.
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Some Catholics choose confirmation names to express individuality
Confirmation names are not a requirement for Catholics, but many choose to adopt one as a way to express their individuality. This custom is relatively new to the Catholic Church, but it has roots in Scripture. During the first few centuries of Christianity, when adults, children, and babies received the sacraments of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist) together, converts often took a new Christian name to replace their pagan name.
The practice of choosing a confirmation name is most common in the United States, where it has become popular over the past century. For many Catholic children, choosing a saint's name for confirmation is an opportunity to express their unique identity. For example, a child might choose the name of a saint they feel close to, or one with whom they share a commonality, such as a musician selecting St. Cecilia or a cook choosing St. Lawrence, the patron of cooks.
The tradition of taking a confirmation name also allows for flexibility in choosing a saintly patron without regard to gender. There is a well-established precedent for candidates selecting names not typically associated with their biological sex. For instance, an individual might choose the name of a saint of the opposite gender whom they admire or feel a connection to.
In addition to expressing individuality, the custom of choosing a confirmation name serves another purpose. It provides religious educators with an opportunity to introduce students to the communion of saints and encourage them to learn about the lives of saints and strive to emulate their virtues. By selecting a confirmation name, young Catholics can develop a deeper understanding of their faith and find inspiration in the examples set by the saints.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholics do sometimes pick a confirmation name, although this is not a requirement.
Confirmation names are usually the names of saints, and the custom is designed to strengthen the grace received at baptism.
It's important to follow the rules of your diocese, so make sure you ask your priest, teacher, or Director of Religious Education for guidance. The name should be that of a saint you admire or feel close to.
The most recent Code of Canon Law (1983) states that a saint's name is not required, but the chosen name must not be "foreign to a Christian mentality".
