Religious name

A religious name is a type of given name bestowed for a religious purpose, and which is generally used in religious contexts. Different types of religious names may be in use among clergy of a religion, as well in some cases among the laity.

In baptism, Catholics are given a Christian name, which should not be "foreign to Christian sentiment" and is often the name of a saint. In East Asia, in Africa and elsewhere, the baptismal name is distinct from the traditional-style given name. In some countries, it is common to adopt a confirmation name, in addition to the baptismal name. In some religious institutes, a new member takes a religious name. A newly elected Pope also takes on a new name, called his regnal name or papal name.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church converts often take a new name at the time of their reception into the church, either by baptism or chrismation. A person's religious name is always the name of a saint, who then becomes that person's patron saint. When deciding on a name for their child, Orthodox parents will often name the child after a saint whose feast day falls on either the day of the child's birth or the day of its baptism. Traditionally, Orthodox Christians celebrate their "name day" (i.e., the feast day of their patron saint), rather than their birthday. Orthodox monks and nuns are often given a new monastic name at the time of their tonsure (i.e., when they take their monastic vows). A monastic name is usually the name of a prophet or a monastic saint. Sometimes, the monastic name will begin with the same initial as the individual's baptismal name.

Jews who have non-Jewish legal names often have a patronymic Hebrew name which is used for religious purposes.

Many Buddhist sects also practice this, with newly ordained sangha often given new names by their master. Lay Buddhists are also given Dharma names during their refuge ceremony.

Members of ISKCON are given a "spiritual name" by their guru upon initiation. This name ends in "Dasa" for men and "Dasi" for women (meaning "servant"), and generally begins with the same letter as the devotee's given name. In Wicca, a Craft name is often used.

It is usual for a Discordian Episkopos to adopt a faux-mystical and bizarre name for the duration of the Episkoposity; such names are not immutable and are frequently adapted over time. The same is true for the clergy of the related Church of the SubGenius.

External links

• Name change on religious conversion, UK Deed Poll