Religious name

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

A religious name is a type of given name bestowed for a religious purposes, and which is generally used in such contexts.

Christianity

In many Christian traditions, those who receive the sacrament of baptism are given a Christian name by which they become known.

Catholic Church

Baptismal name

In baptism, Catholics are given a Christian name,[1] which should not be "foreign to Christian sentiment"[2] and is often the name of a saint.[3] In East Asia, in Africa and elsewhere, the baptismal name is distinct from the traditional-style given name.

Traditionally, Orthodox and Catholic Christians celebrate their name day (i.e., the feast day of their patron saint), rather than their birthday.

Confirmation name

In some countries, it is common to adopt a confirmation name, always the name of a saint, in addition to the baptismal name. The saint whose name is taken is henceforth considered to be a patron saint.

Religious name

In general, religious names are used among the persons of the

first vows, in some communities prior to the entry of a new postulant
.

Papal name

A

newly elected pope traditionally takes on a new name, called his regnal name or papal name
.

Lutheran Church

In the

Lutheran Churches, those who receive the sacrament of baptism are given a Christian name.[4]

Eastern Church

Baptismal name

In the

feast day
falls on either the day of the child's birth or the day of its baptism.

Monastic name

Orthodox and Eastern catholic monks and nuns are often given a new monastic name at the time of their investiture.

Judaism

Converts to Judaism take a Hebrew name upon conversion. Born Jews generally have a patronymic Hebrew name which is used for religious purposes; this is frequently different from their legal name, especially when the latter is of gentile or non-Hebrew origin.

Mandaeism

In Mandaeism, a baptismal (zodiacal) or masbuta name, also known as malwasha, is a name given by a priest, as opposed to a legal name.[5]: 81  Mandaeans have matronymic Mandaean names which are used in Mandaean rituals.[5] A malwasha is linked with the mother's name and time of birth in order to protect the individual from their zodiac sign which is considered ominous.[5]: 81 

Buddhism

All

Tisarana ceremony
.

Taoism

All Taoist sects have similar practice like Chinese Buddhism, where all newly ordained Taoist priests or monks are given Taoist name related on their sect's lineage. Lay Taoists who participate in the initiation ceremony are also given a Taoist name.

Others

Gaudiya Vaishnavism

Members of ISKCON and some other Gaudiya Vaishnava organisations are given a "spiritual name" by their guru upon initiation. This name ends in "Das" or "Dasa" for men and "Dasi" for women (meaning "servant").

Wicca

In Wicca, a craft name is often used.

References

  1. ^ Thurston, Herbert (1911), Christian Names, New York: Robert Appleton Company, retrieved May 30, 2012
  2. ^ Code of Canon Law, canon 2156
  3. ^ Catholic Activity: Baptismal Names
  4. .
  5. ^ a b c Drower, Ethel Stefana. The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran. Oxford At The Clarendon Press, 1937.

External links