Catholic names?

Question

I'm really confused about what catholic names are.

My grandmother was very Catholic and after my baptism (I think) I was given the name Natalia. Is this a confirmation name? Or is the confirmation name something different than what this is?

PS My legal name is not Natalia, btw. I have never used Natalia for any purpose at all.

Answer 1

In Baptism, the Lord's name sanctifies the Christian,and the Christian receives his name in the Church.

This can be (but does not have to be) the name of a saint, that is, of a disciple who has lived a life of exemplary fidelity to the Lord.

Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to take care that a name foreign to Christian sensibility is not given.

Natalia means "Christ's Birthday" or "Christmas Day" from Latin "natale domini."

This can be used as a confirmation name. and a few saints have been named Natalia:
St. Natalia: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4794
St. Natalie: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=309
St. Natalis: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4795
St. Natalis: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4796
St. Natalis: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4797

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

It is a practice for Catholics from ancient times to give a child a new name at baptism, traditionally that of a Saint or Angel. One has the choice to use their baptismal name or their original birth name. The list of Catholic names is endless, and the majority are mentioned in the Bible. Such as:

MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN PAUL MARY ABRAHAM
MOSES NOAH SIMON PETER RACHEL CELESTINE
BARTHOLEMEW BARABAS DARIA DORA GLORIA to name a few!

It just depends how stricly Catholic one is! The strict would only use names connected with some biblical association. More liberal Catholics use modern names with perhaps just the second name being biblical in origin. It all depends on the depth of faith of the individual! Some believe everything is in a name, others do not! I personally think, the naming of a child after a saint is a grand idea but neither is it sacriligious to not do so! It's how a person lives and acts that is more important than any superfluous name. I think this was truly done in ancient times, a lot out of fear and superstition surrounding religion. Those were tumultuous times. We have greater perspective nowadays, with time and space from all such religious decrees and edicts. A man named Matthew or Paul or John, can still be a thief or criminal, though still being Catholic. Obviously, a name can only do so much to protect or direct one to a godly life, but it's one's behavior, whatever their name, that overrides all! I like the idea and intent behind the practice and it is an honorable practice. But neither should it be considered anti-Catholic, if one is Catholic, to not do so! But that's for each individual to decide for themselves!

Answer 3

I am catholic and have never heard of giving a child a saints name at the time of baptism. That happens when you make your confirmation in 9th grade. My son was baptized 2 yrs ago and we did not give him a saints name nor is his given name religious.

I did some research and there is a catholic saint named St. Natalia so it could be something your grandmother chose to do.

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4794

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

There is no such thing as a "Catholic" name. It's not the same thing as having a name with a clear ethnic origin.

Names become associated with Catholicism when those who bear those names become saints. It is traditional for one's Confirmation name to be the name of a saint.

Take your name for example: Natalia. I don't know off the top of my head whether or not there is a saint with that same name. However, it is possible for that name (the individual who bears it, that is) to become santified through the faith and actions of the person who bore it.

Even if Natalia is not currrently the name of a saint, it may very well become one when someone who bears that name is beatified as a saint.

Answer 5

At baptism, if the baptised does not have what is called a CHRISTIAN name ( a saint, Old Testament name, or blessed...or a virtue), a Christian name is conferred on the baptised.

At Confirmation, you may choose a name- or keep your given name if it is a Christian name.


FOR WHISPERING ROSE- Samantha is the feminine of Samuel- Samuel was the one who answered " Here I am, Lord" when he was called.
Natalia would be in honor of the Birth of Christ- as in Buon Natalia - Merry Christmas in Italian.

Answer 6

I'm not sure but I think a catholic name is a name after a saint or religious figure of the Church. A confirmation name is when you take the name of a saint and they become sort of a heavenly advocate for you.

For Example:

My name is Samantha Rose

Samantha I guess isn't a Catholic name but Rose is.
Then for confirmation I took the name Katherine so now I'm Samantha Rose Katherine.

Hope this helps!

Answer 7

Well often times Catholic people have saints names.

Ex. Male: Peter, Andrew, Luke, Paul, John, Matthew

Female: Mary, Irene, Catherine, Theresa

Answer 8

At Baptism parents sometimes will give their child the name of a saint but that is typically done during Confirmation by the child and it is added to the to your name on your Sacrametal document

Answer 9

Some Catholic names:
Levi
Matthew
Mark
James
Gabriel
John
Peter Paul
Mary
Joseph

Answer 10

Names out of the Bible, from the scriptures within...those are names used by many Catholic and Christian families.