godchild

A godchild is a person who has one or more godparents—people who have pledged to help with their upbringing, especially in a religious way.

In some denominations of Christianity, when a child is baptized, they are sponsored by (usually two) adults who pledge to help in this way. Those adults are the child’s godparents, and the child is their godchild.

Godchildren are often related to their godparents (a boy might be his aunt’s godson, for example), but they don’t need to be.

Godparents also often pledge to become the godchild’s guardian if needed (in the event that the child’s parents die).

These terms are all sometimes applied outside of a religious context—parents may choose close relatives or friends to act as godparents for their children without any religious aspect to the relationship.

A godparent can still refer to their godchild with that term even after the child becomes an adult.

Example: Some people are godparents in name only, but Kelly and Chris spend as much time as they can with their godchild.

Godchild is an old word, with the first records of its use coming from around 1200. Even though the word God is usually capitalized in the context of Christianity, it’s spelled lowercase in some general terms, such as godliness.

In some Christian denominations, people officially become godparents to their godchild at the child’s baptism by making specific pledges to assist with their religious upbringing. Some parents, though, choose godparents for their child simply by asking them to have a special presence in their godchild’s life (and often to act as the child’s guardians if something should happen to them). This may or may not involve a religious aspect.

What are some other forms related to godchild?

• godchildren (plural)

What are some words that share a root or word element with godchild? 

• God
• child
• goddaughter
• godson
• godparent
• godmother
• godfather
• grandchild

What are some words that often get used in discussing godchild?

• baptism
• sponsor
• nephew
• niece
• relationship
• guardian

The word godchild is especially associated with the relationship that’s made official during the Christian ceremony of baptism, but it’s also used in nonreligious contexts.

My godchild was born today and I love him so much already. 😭💙

— Ashley✨ (@_AshleeyDiaaz) August 17, 2020

Earlier my godchild was crying and as soon as I let her hold my Fendi sunglasses she stopped… her taste is impeccable even before she turned one

— Sid🥂 (@sidneysays__) August 20, 2020

I feel old. All my godchildren and my niece and nephew are adults 😫

— Terry Twinspin/Phil Airtime 🏳️‍🌈 (@hbafilmshorts) August 17, 2020

Is godchild used correctly in the following sentence?

I try to be a good godmother by always sending my godchild something for his birthday.