Christian name


noun

Also called baptismal name. the name given one at baptism, as distinguished from the family name.
a person's first or given name.

Origin of Christian name

First recorded in 1540–50

Example sentences from the Web for christian name

British Dictionary definitions for christian name

Christian name

noun

a personal name formally given to Christians at christening

usage for Christian name

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