Definition

Noun: 1. A personal name given to an individual at birth, baptism, or during a christening ceremony, traditionally within a Christian cultural context. This name distinguishes a person from other members of a family or group who share the same surname. While historically tied to Christian practice, the term is often used more broadly in some regions to mean "first name" or "given name."

Usage

• The term is used to refer to a person's first or given name.
• It is commonly used in formal or administrative contexts when distinguishing between first and last names.
• In modern usage, especially in secular contexts, "given name" or "first name" is often preferred for inclusivity.

Examples

• On the application form, please write your Christian name and surname clearly. (Here, it means the name given at birth, placed before the family name.)
• His Christian name is James, but everyone calls him Jim. (This shows the formal given name versus a common nickname.)
• In many historical records, only the Christian name and the father's name were recorded. (This illustrates its use in official documentation.)

Advanced Usage

• The term can sometimes appear in legal or historical documents where traditional terminology is preserved.
• In sociolinguistic discussions, the term is analyzed for its cultural and religious connotations versus more neutral terms like "given name."

Variants and Related Words

• Given name (n): A more secular and inclusive term for a personal name bestowed at birth or during a life ceremony.
• First name (n): The most common contemporary synonym, used in everyday and formal contexts.
• Baptismal name (n): Specifically refers to the name given during the Christian sacrament of baptism.

Synonyms

• First name
• Given name
• Forename (more common in British English)

Notes on Meaning

• While the core meaning relates to a name given within a Christian tradition, its practical application in some dialects of English (notably British English) has broadened to be synonymous with "first name," regardless of the individual's religious background. This usage is considered dated or potentially insensitive in many modern and multicultural contexts, where "given name" is the preferred neutral term.

Noun

1. the first name given to Christians at birth or christening