Baptismal names

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A baptismal name is a name given to a newly-baptised Orthodox Christian. For a lengthy time in Orthodox history, Orthodox Christians have been given the names of Orthodox saints.

The following is a list of names who have:

  • Orthodox saints, perhaps unexpectedly, attached to either the original name (e.g. Theophany for Tiffany) or to a diminutive (e.g. Gerald for Jerry), or
  • Orthodox saints whose names mean the same thing (e.g. St Alban for Bianca [both mean 'white'], or St Maurice for Blake [both mean 'black']).
  • If these are not available, a 'closest match' may be given, where the name sounds similar to a saint's name (e.g. St Rumon for Raymond).

However, this is not designed to be a list for existing matchups which have no relation (e.g. Panayiotis for Peter).

nb. Different sections are being upgraded to indicate the reason that a saint's name was chosen. Where differentiation applies, the key will be included at the start of the letter.

A

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.

B

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.
  • Bailey (m) - St Balin (September 7 - Sound-alike) [9]
  • Belinda (f) - St Berlinda, anchoress at Meerbeke (February 3 - Saint)
  • Bella (f) - St Elizabeth (Diminutive)
  • Benjamin (m) - Righteous Benjamin, son of Jacob (Sunday of the Forefathers - Saint)
  • Bentley (m) - St Panteleimon (July 27 - Sound-alike)
  • Bertrand (m) - St Bertrand (June 30 - Saint) [10]
  • Bess, Beth, Betty (f) - see Elizabeth (Diminutive)
  • Bianca (f) - St Alban, Protomartyr of Britain (June 22 - Meaning: white)
  • Blake (m) - St Maurice (December 27 - Meaning: black)
  • Bradley (m) - St Bradon, venerated on the Isle of Man (October 20 - Sound-alike) [11]
  • Braedon, Braydon (m) - St Bradon, venerated on the Isle of Man (October 20 - Saint)
  • Brendan, Brendon (m) - St Brendan the Navigator (May 16 - Saint)
  • Brett (m) - St Brito (or Britonius) of Trier (May 5 - Meaning: a Briton) [12]
  • Brian, Bryan (m) - St Birinus of Dorchester (Sound-alike)
  • Brianna (f) - St Birinus of Dorchester (Sound-alike)
  • Brittany, Brittney, Britney (f) - St Brito (or Britonius) of Trier (May 5 - Meaning: a Briton) [13]
  • Brody, Brodie (m) - St Ambrose of Milan (Sound-alike)
  • Brooke (f) - Prophet Baruch (September 28 - Sound-alike)
  • Brooklyn (f) - St Raphael of Brooklyn (February 27 - Saint based on name of place)
  • Bryce, Bryson (m) - St Brice of Tours (November 13 - Saint) [14]

C

D

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.

E

F

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.
  • Faith (f) - St Faith, daughter of St Sophia (September 17 - Saint)
  • Flynn (m) - St Flannan of Killaloe (December 18 - Saint)
  • Frederick, Fred (m) - St Frederick of Utrecht (July 18 - Saint)

G

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.
  • Gabriel (m) - St Gabriel (Saint)
  • Gabrielle (f) - St Gabriel (Saint)
  • Gail (f) - see Abigail (Diminutive)
  • Gavin (m) - St Gavinus, Protomartyr of Sardinia (May 30 - Sound-alike)
  • Garrett (m) - see Gerald (Diminutive)
  • Genesis (f) - closest is the Nativity of Christ or the Nativity of the Theotokos (Meaning)
  • Genevieve (f) - St Geneviève of Paris (January 3 - Saint)
  • Geoffrey, Geoff (m) - St Geoffrey, Abbot of Wearmouth (Saint)
  • Gerald, Gerry (m) - St Gerald, Bishop of Mayo (Saint)
  • Gertrude (f) - St Gertrude of Nivelles (March 17 - Saint); St Gertrude of Remiremont (November 7 - Saint); St Gertrude the Elder (December 6 - Saint) [31]
  • Gianna (f) - St John (Saint)
  • Gilbert (m) - St Agilbert of Jouarre (Sound-alike)
  • Gina (f) - see Regina (Diminutive)
  • Giovanna (f) - see Gianna (Diminutive)
  • Grace (f) - St Charis (January 28 - Meaning)
  • Grayson (m) - St Villicus of Metz (April 17 - Meaning) [32]
  • Gwen, Gwendoline (f) - St Gwen Teirborn of Britain (Saint)

H

  • Hanalei (m/f) - see Henry (Sound-alike)
  • Hank (m) - St John, or see Henry.
  • Hannah (f) - St Anna, mother of the Theotokos; St Hannah, mother of the Prophet Samuel (Sunday of the Forefathers) [33]
  • Harper (f) - closest is St David the Prophet & King (Sunday of the Forefathers)
  • Harry (m) - see Henry or Harold
  • Haydon (m) - St Aidan of Lindisfarne
  • Hayley, Hailey, Haylee (f) - closest: see Leah
  • Heather (f) - closest is St Ethelburgh (September 8) [34]
  • Henry (m) - St Henry of Saint-Germain d'Auxerre (June 24) [35]
  • Heidi (f) - see Adelaide
  • Holly (f) - Holy Cross (September 14 - Sound-alike); or, St Hellius the Martyr (July 14 - Sound-alike) [36]; or, St Olive the Virgin-Martyr (June 10 - Sound-alike)
  • Hope (f) - St Hope (daughter of St Sophia)
  • Hudson (m) - see Hugh or Richard
  • Hugh (m) - St Hugh of Rouen (Apr 9) [37]
  • Hunter (m) - closest is St Gunthiern in Brittany (July 3) [38]

I

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.
  • Ian (m) - St John (Saint)
  • Isaac (m) - St Isaac (Saint)
  • Isabel, Isabella (f) - St Elizabeth (Saint)
  • Isaiah (m) - Prophet Isaiah (Saint)

J

K

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.

L

M

N

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.
  • Nadine, Nadia, Nadya (f) - St Hope, daughter of St Sophia (September 17 - Saint: Nadezhda)
  • Naomi (f) - Prophet Naum (December 1 - Sound-alike)
  • Natalie (f) - St Natalia (Saint)
  • Nathan (m) - Prophet Nathan (Sunday of the Forefathers - Saint)
  • Nathaniel (m) - Apostle Bartholomew (aka Nathaniel) (Saint)
  • Nevaeh (f) - St Ourania of the Forty Virgin-martyrs in Thrace (September 1 - Meaning: 'heaven' in reverse)
  • Neil, Nigel (m) - St Nil (May 7 - Saint)
  • Ngaire (f) - St Nereus (May 12 - Sound-alike) [64]
  • Nicholas (m) - St Nicholas of Myra (December 6 - Saint)
  • Nicole (f) - St Nicholas of Myra (December 6 - Saint)
  • Noah (m) - Righteous Noah (Saint)
  • Noel (m/f) - The Nativity of Christ (Meaning: Christmas)
  • Nolan (m) - St Eugene (March 7 - Meaning: noble); St Paulinus of Nola (Sound-alike of placename), St Felix of Nola (Sound-alike of placename), St Maximus of Nola (Sound-alike of placename), St Arnold (Sound-alike), Maginold (Sound-alike), Reinold (Sound-alike).
  • Nora (f) - St Helen (Diminutive: Elanora)

O

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.

P

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.

Q

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.

R

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.

S

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.
  • Sadie (f) - see Sarah (Diminutive)
  • Samantha, Sam (f) - Prophet Samuel (Sunday of the Forefathers - Saint)
  • Samuel, Sam (m) - Prophet Samuel (Sunday of the Forefathers - Saint)
  • Sarah, Sara (f) - Sarah, wife of Abraham (Sunday of the Forefathers - Saint); St Sarah of the Desert (July 13 - Saint)
  • Savannah (f) - St Savina of Milan (January 30 - Sound-alike) [81]
  • Scarlett, Scarlet (f) - St Scarthin (January 6 - Sound-alike) [82]
  • Scott (m) - Apostle Andrew, patron of Scotland (Meaning: Scottish person); or St Columba, enlightener of Scotland (Meaning: Scottish person).
  • Sean, Shaun (m) - St John (Saint)
  • Sebastian (m) - St Sebastian the Martyr (December 18 - Saint)
  • Serenity (f) - St Galina of Corinth, martyr (April 16 - Meaning: Galina means serenity); Sts. Serenicus and Serenus, monastic brothers (May 7 - Saint); St Serenus of Marseilles (August 9 - Saint)
  • Serena (f) - Sts. Serenicus and Serenus, monastic brothers (May 7 - Saint); St Serenus of Marseilles (August 9 - Saint)
  • Shane (m) - St John (Saint)
  • Shannon (m/f) - see Sean (Sound-alike)
  • Shantelle (f) - see Chantal (Saint)
  • Shardae, Sharday (f) - St Jader of Numidia in North Africa (September 10 - Sound-alike) [83]
  • Shelby (f) - Apostle Silvan (Sound-alike)
  • Sheldon (m) - St Elwin in Cornwall (February 22 - Sound-alike)
  • Simone (f) - Apostle Simon (Saint)
  • Siobhan (f) - see Jeanne (Saint)
  • Skye (f) - St Ourania of the Forty Virgin-martyrs in Thrace (September 1 - Meaning: Sky and Heavens)
  • Skylar (f) - St Scholastica, sister of St Benedict (Meaning: Skylar derived from Schuyler, meaning 'scholar')
  • Sloane (m) - St Silouan the Athonite (Sound-alike)
  • Stella (f) - St Stylianos of Paphlagonia (November 26 - Saint)
  • Stephanie (f) - St Stephen the Protomartyr (Saint)
  • Susanna (f) - St Susanna, martyred in Salerno (January 18 - Saint); St Susanna the Just (Sunday of the Forefathers - Saint) [84]
  • Sydney (f) - St Sidonius of Clermont (August 21 - Sound-alike), St Sidonius of Rouens (November 14 - Sound-alike), or St Sedna of Ossory (March 10 - Sound-alike) [85]

T

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.
  • Tabitha (f) - St. Tabitha (October 25 - Saint)
  • Tania, Tanya (f) - St Tatiana of Rome (Diminutive)
  • Tara (f) - St Tarsila, aunt of St Gregory the Great (December 24 - Sound-alike) [86]
  • Taylor (f) - St Talarican in Scotland (October 30 - Sound-alike) [87]
  • Thierry (m) - see Derek (Saint)
  • Thomas (m) - Apostle Thomas (Saint)
  • Tia (f) - St Tatiana of Rome (Sound-alike); or, saints ending in '-tia' (Sound-alike); or, saints beginning in 'Theo-' (e.g. Theodora) (Sound-alike).
  • Tiffany (f) - The Theophany of our Lord (January 6 - Saint)
  • Travis (m) - St Triverius of Dombes (January 16 - Sound-alike) [88]
  • Trevor (m) - St Triverius, hermit in Dombes (January 16 - Sound-alike) [89]
  • Tristan (m) - St Drostan (or Drustan), abbot in Aberdeenshire (July 11 - Saint) [90]
  • Troy (m) - St Troyen of Saintes (November 30 - Sound-alike) [91]
  • Trudy (f) - see Gertrude (Saint); or, St Tudy of Wales (January 30 - Sound-alike) [92]
  • Ty (m) - see Tyler, Tyson or Tyrone (Diminutive)
  • Tyler (m) - St Tillo of Belgium (January 7 - Sound-alike) [93]
  • Tyrone (m) - see Owen (Saint)
  • Tyson (m) - St Dyfan of Britain (May 26 - Sound-alike) [94]

V

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.

W

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.

X

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.
  • Xavier (m) - St Ava, Abbess of Denain (April 29 - Sound-alike); St Avy of Micy (June 17 - Sound-alike); St Avitus (Sound-alike) [104]
  • Xander (m) - see Alexander (Diminutive)

Y

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.
  • Yvette (f) - St Ywi, ascetic of Lindisfarne (October 8 - Sound-alike) [105]; or, see Eve or Janette (Sound-alike)

Z

Key: If a name has a saint directly attached to it (or a foreign/derivative form of it), then Saint is used. If the name is short for a longer name that has a saint attached to it, then Diminutive is used. If the name is known to have the same meaning as a saint's name, then Meaning is used. If it is known only that the name sounds similar to a saint's name, then Sound-alike is used.
  • Zachary, Zach (m) - St Zachariah, father of St John the Baptist (Saint)
  • Zeke (m) - Prophet Ezekiel (Saint)
  • Zhadee (f) - St Jader of Numidia in North Africa (September 10 - Sound-alike) [106]
  • Zoe, Zoey (f) - Life-Giving Spring (Bright Friday); Exuperius and Zoe (May 2); Zoe of Rome (December 18) (Saint)

See also

Bibliography