christian name

Noun capitalized: Christian name

Christian name (plural Christian names)

1. A first name formally given to a child at a Christian baptism.

   Synonyms:

   first name, forename, given name, front name

2. (broadly) Any forename.
   • This was all overheard by Miss Dashwood; and in the whole of the sentence, in his manner of pronouncing it, and in his addressing her sister by her christian name alone, she instantly saw an intimacy so decided, a meaning so direct, as marked a perfect agreement between them.1811, [Jane Austen], chapter XII, in Sense and Sensibility […], volume I, London: […] C[harles] Roworth, […], and published by T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, pages 137–138
   • On 8th November Anthony cabled them, ‘Your great-grandson Randal Lewis Casson arrived to-day. Both well,’ and we sent, ‘Congratulations on becoming great-grandparents.’ Anthony and Janneke had kept the proposed Christian names a complete secret, and we were all so touched that they had chosen two...1972, John Casson, “‘When We Are Old, Are Old’”, in Lewis & Sybil: A Memoir, London: Collins, →ISBN, page 320
3. (Singapore) An English given name, particularly for ethnic Chinese who usually have a separate Chinese name.
4. (chiefly Korea) A baptismal name or confirmation name used in religious contexts, but not part of the legal name.
   • At the convent he is known as "Andrew." This is Shin's baptismal name. Korean Catholics baptized as infants take on a Christian name which also acts as their confirmation name.2000, U.S. Catholic Historian
   • Many of these, however, thoughtfully join their given names with a hyphen, or even write them solid, so that Lee Soo Man may present himself as Soo-Man Lee or Sooman Lee. A Korean who is a Christian will additionally take a Christian name, and so our Mr Lee may present himself as Noah Lee.2003 January 30, R L Trask, Mind the Gaffe: The Penguin Guide to Common Errors in English, Penguin UK, →ISBN