What is the origin of the term 'Christian name'?

Question

Just curious....

I have a first name, otherwise know as a Christian name, but what is the origin of this term?

Also, in the assumption that it is related to Christ (as in Christianity), then what is the comparable name in say Muslim faith environments where Christ as I understand it has no religious influence? Do they simply refer to a 'first name' or is their a similar term to 'Christian name'?

Thanks

Answer 1

It is (or was) generally a saints name given to you at your Christening. It now simply denotes your given name as opposed to your surname. Muslims obviously don't have a 'Christian' name. They all seem to be called Mohammed anyway, or variations of Mohammed. A Muslim Tour Guide in Egypt listed his names for us, and Mahmoud appeared no less than THREE times!

Answer 2

They were first called Christians in Antioch probably around the year 40 AD. The term means little Christ or Christ-like. The followers of Christ were known to be Christians. Hopefully and pray fully we are Christ-like with those we meet.

Answer 3

Because it's the name you get when you are christened.

I don't know what Muslims do, but I know that Jews have a similar naming ceremony for their babies. If they are living in a country other than Israel, then they have two names: one in the language of their country, and a Hebrew name. For example, an American Jew would have an American name and a Hebrew name. The Hebrew names are often the names of friends or relatives who have passed away.

Answer 4

The term Christian name relates to the christening (or baptism).

A non-religious variant with the same basic meaning is forename.

Answer 5

Right on brother ;-) Babylon the Great has immense influence on all the "Holy-Days" celebrated by Christendom. Easter is modern english with its roots in celtic/germanic tribes, and it definitely goes back to Ancient Babylon. The "church fathers" have amalgamated "christianity" with "pagan religion" in order to appease and convert pagans into the 'truth'. (which became corrupted after the death of the Apostles). The apostle Paul also gave warning about such “oppressive wolves.” He identified them as men who would “rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Acts 20:29, 30). Those folks ("church fathers") created the Xmas hollidays and easter hollidays and Gods knows what. Easter, which correspond to the name of goddesses such as Ishtar (babylonian), Astarte, Asherah, Eostre, Ostra, Ostara (Germanic/Celtic Gallic). It's all the same goddess worship packaged (and as you mentioned "sugar coated") into a most unholy DAY that supposedly commemorate Jesus' ressurection. It has nothing to do with God's son.....but a cult that is about sex worship and fertility sex cult originally....once upon a time in Chaldea (Babylon, the religious sewer...) Any connection with false religion and its debased worship taints its worshippers unclean in Jehovah's sight, and are soon to be destroyed (Rev. 18:9, 10.) This is an excellent post you got there, because it showed how Satan the god of the system of things has effectively corrupted the mind of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4) with a toxic load of garbage. The soon to arrive Great Tribulation will completely expose the lies of Christendom, and reveal their religious customs as what it really is... Galatian 6:7 warns of Satan's deception and those who choose to follow religious falsehood: Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap. (1 Corinthian 10:14) "Flee from Idolatry". Easter is the direct by product of (Revelation 17:1-6) "The great harlot that sits on many waters...was full of disgusting things and the unclean things of her fornication" Satan, the god of this present wicked world, has woven a gigantic tissue of religious lies and spreads it like a veil over the nations so that unbelievers are blinded to the enlightening good news of Christ’s kingdom. More like Cancerous growth if you ask me.

Answer 6

Acts 11:26 and it was first in Antioch that the deciples were by divine providence called Christians.

Answer 7

I think it's to do with the name you are christened with, my father in law is named one thing and christened another. He goes with the name he was given at birth out of loyalty to his mother as his father came back from the army and said thats a stupid name, we'll name his this and .. you know... missed the point there a bit...

Answer 8

christ - ian means to be christ -like .to be like christ. although a name is just considered a name today though, it is just on the application.

Answer 9

It is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "follower of Christ".

Answer 10

wouldnt it be best to say 'first name' and 'surname' and avoid all confusion?