Why Choose a Confirmation Name?

My Confirmation Name – Sharing the Story of Your Saint

Your name gives you an identity; it tells others who you are.  When you were baptized, your parents chose your name.  If you do not know your parents’ reason for choosing your name, ask them about it.  Now that you are about to be confirmed, it is time to choose the name you will take as a sign of your growth in Christ in your Catholic Faith.

The tradition of taking on a new name to show a new role can be traced back to the Old Testament.  When Abram was called to lead his people to believe in the one true God, his name was changed from Abram to Abraham meaning “the father of many nations.”  Again in the New Testament we find Simon’s name changed from Simon to Peter, meaning “Rock” because he was to become the rock upon which Jesus founded His Church.

Your Confirmation Name should reflect the role, the NEW role you will undertake as a more mature Catholic.  Perhaps you would like to take the name of a person whom you admire.  Many of the Confirmation Candidates, recognizing the growing bond of love with their parents, take a parent’s name or a close personal friend.  The only limit that is placed on your choice is that it must be a Saint’s name, a variation of that name or a name from the Bible.  You may also choose your Baptismal name since Confirmation is the completion of the Baptism experience.

“I believe in the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints…”

After you decide on a name, complete the following.  You may use additional paper if necessary.                

1. The saint I chose to pray and imitate in my preparation for Confirmation is: