Christian name

noun

1. Also called baptismal name. the name given one at baptism, as distinguished from the family name.

2. a person's first or given name.

Christian name

noun

1. a personal name formally given to Christians at christening

Usage

This word was often loosely used to mean any person's first name as distinct from his or her surname. Nowadays, especially in official documents, alternatives which do not refer to a particular faith, and are therefore more inclusive, are often used: first name , forename and given name

Word History and Origins

Origin of Christian name¹

First recorded in 1540–50

Related Words

• given name