What's in a Name
Saints have been canonized since the tenth century. Before then, they were chosen by public acclaim, a more democratic process but one that led to the naming of some saints who really didn't deserve the honor. To ensure that the people named as saints should be designated as such, the Vatican gradually took over the process and developed a specific set of criteria for it, including evidence of two miracles directly related to the influence of the candidate saint. They must take place after the death of the proposed saint and as a result of a specific petition to the candidate.
Some parents choose a saint name based on the day their child was born. However, it's not necessary to do this if you are selecting a name for its protective purposes. Choose a name with meaning to you. As your child grows up, he or she can celebrate the saint's feast day as a special event related to, but not the same as, a birthday.
The list of names that appears here is primarily taken from the Roman Catholic calendar. On the few occasions where this calendar didn't yield good examples, names were taken from the Byzantine calendar. Although the list is lengthy, it is just a representation of the many men and women who comprise the list of saints. Rather than cite every name possible, names were chosen to give an idea of the wide variety of monikers from which you can choose.
Included are names of saints who are celebrated universally by the church, as well as some who are celebrated only in certain areas. They include martyrs, popes, priests, evangelists, bishops, and others who dedicated their lives to their faith in some form or another.
You won't be breaking any canonical laws if you decide to use one of the following names in a more up-to-date form. Feminine versions of male saint names also are acceptable.
Saints for the New Year
If you're looking for a sainted name for your new year baby, these January saints might do the trick:
|1.The Virgin Mary||17. Anthony|
|2. Basil the Great||18. Prisca|
|3. Genevieve||19. Canute or Knute|
|4. Gregory of Langres||20. Fabian|
|5. Simeon Stylites||21. Agnes|
|6. John of Ribera||22. Vincent|
|7. Raymond of Penafort||23. Bernard or Barnard|
|8. Lucian of Beauvais||24. Francis de Sales|
|9. Marciana||25. Paul|
|10. Agatho||26. Alberic|
|11. Salvius or Sauve||27. Angela Merici|
|12. Benedict or Benet Biscop||28. Amadeus|
|13. Hilary||29. Gildas the Wise|
|14. Felix Nola||30. Martina|
|15. Bonet or Bonitus||31. Aidan|
|16. Marcellus I|
More on: Choosing a Name
Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baby Names © 1999 by Sonia Weiss. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
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