Holy Baptism is an extremely important sacrament in the life of every Catholic. It is through Baptism that a person who is not yet a member of the Church is welcomed into the Church community. Parents raised in the faith usually decide to have their child baptized immediately after birth. It’s safe to say that this is the easiest time to do so, and priests also advise that a child should remain unbaptized for as short a time as possible.
One of the challenges that arises during pregnancy or shortly after a child’s birth is the question of a name. Although we may like many names, not every name is considered suitable by a priest or the Catholic Church for a child being raised in the Christian faith. So, what name should you choose for baptism? And is a middle name required?
A Baptismal Name—Which One to Choose?
When deciding to have your child baptized, it is essential to first work out all the details with the priest before proceeding with the ceremony. Before the sacrament, parents are required to provide the priest with the child’s birth certificate. This document will certainly already list the name given by the parents. Not all of us pay attention to whether the name comes from a saint or, on the contrary, is a modern name that wasn’t widely known before. Some parents even lean toward naming their child after a brand, a product, or something else that’s popular.
In theory, the Civil Registry Office acts as the child’s guardian and ensures that parents do not give the child an offensive name. However, not every name approved by the Registry Office will be accepted by the priest performing the baptism. So what name should you choose for your child to avoid problems when finalizing the details of the ceremony?
It’s worth keeping in mind that many parents give their children names of saints. These names come from people who, during the history of the Catholic Church, were recognized as saints and canonized. However, the priest is required to record the name given to the child as it appears on the birth certificate, even if it is not a saint’s name, even if it is modern or not widely known. The most important thing is that it does not contradict the Catholic faith. So if you decide on a rather original name, check first to make sure it does not conflict with the Catholic faith.
Boys’ Baptismal Names—Which Are the Most Popular?
There are truly countless names you can give your child. The pool is enormous, which is why for some parents the choice is downright overwhelming. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, there are thousands of names that you can—and even should—review before the birth to ensure that the best one is chosen.
As Catholics, we usually want a boy to receive an appropriate name—one that is either the name of a saint or at least suitable enough that the priest will readily accept it. Saint names for boys include:
• Francis, • Adrian, • David, • Christopher, • Anthony, • John, • Martin, • Damian, • Camille, • Nicholas, • Thomas, • Peter.
Holy names for girls at baptism
Saint names also carry a very significant history. Every name derived from a saint is connected to that saint’s life. For the Church and priests, this is the best name parents can give their child at baptism. For girls, the most popular female saint names for baptism are:
• Róża, • Agata, • Kinga, • Maria, • Anna, • Monika, • Daria.
A middle name inspired by a saint
Many parents wonder whether it’s necessary to give their child a middle name. This is a very important decision we must make on the child’s behalf. Usually, the Church recommends giving a middle name, especially when the first name is not of a saintly nature. In such cases, to remedy the situation somewhat, a middle name is given—one that is definitely of a religious nature. However, as statistics show, more and more people are moving away from this tradition and giving their child only one name, even if it isn’t typically religious.
It’s worth keeping in mind that naming a child is not just about giving them a name—it’s, in a sense, about giving an identity to another person, a little one. This is certainly neither an easy nor a simple decision. It’s worth weighing the pros and cons. When choosing a saint’s name, one can assume that the child automatically gains a role model—in the form of that particular saint. In the Catholic faith, it is commonly believed that giving a child a saint’s name also automatically draws the saint’s attention to the child. The little one gains a patron saint to whom they can turn when things don’t go their way. The saint from whom the child’s name is derived can become an intercessor for the child’s needs, and the child can confidently pray to that saint.
Is a middle name mandatory for a child?
A middle name at baptism is not mandatory, although it is still widely believed to be so. Fortunately, canon law does not require a middle name. True, many parents, grandparents, and relatives cannot imagine the youngest family member being baptized without a middle name; however, this is gradually ceasing to be a concern, and parents are making this decision independently for their child.
As you can see, choosing a name is, on the one hand, a fairly easy and straightforward matter; on the other hand, it’s worth knowing the rules and traditions in order to make a good choice. Currently, the choice of a name can be categorized based on the types of parents. The first type leans toward saints’ names, which is completely understandable. Besides, such names come back into fashion from time to time, especially when people grow tired of foreign names like Jessica, Brian, Alan, etc.
The second type of parents are those who reject traditional names and want to bring a breath of fresh air. So they opt for a modern name—very often a foreign one—with an interesting meaning, or sometimes without one. For peace of mind and out of concern for the child, they also choose a second, saint-based name so that the little one still has a patron saint. The third type of parents consists of couples who, despite their family’s urging, decide to baptize their child with a single name—usually a modern one that has no patron saint. As mentioned earlier, priests agree to this, provided the name itself is not offensive to the Catholic Church.
