Confirmation Names

Guidelines from our Bishops

Each year, as we prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, we receive general questions regarding the name used by the candidate. Even though Confirmations have already been celebrated in some parishes, we thought these guidelines could help in preparation of your candidates.

• Candidates may use their baptismal name or another Christian name when receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. 
• A Christian name would be the name of a saint or blessed.
• Derivatives of names (Kelly for Catherine; Jenna for Genevieve) or Old Testament names are also appropriate.
• Candidates may use their first or second names if they are Christian names, or they may select a new Christian name.
• The candidate should know the relationship of the name to the religious Christian tradition.
• Exceptions can be made if a particular non-Christian or family name has significant meaning for a candidate that can be articulated to the bishop.
• Most importantly, candidates should be encouraged to learn about their patron as part of their preparation for the sacrament and should particularly focus on the virtues of their patron they wish to emulate.

We hope this is helpful to you and thanks to all of you who work so diligently with our young people preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

In Christ,

Archbishop Jerome Listecki         Bishop Richard Sklba            Bishop William Callahan

Resources for Confirmation Names

There are several online lists of patron saints and confirmation names.  There are also numerous books of names and of the lives of the saints.  A candidate may use a list to generate interest in a name, or to see if their own name is a saint's name.  Then he or she should look to a more substantial biography. Following is a bibliography on saints, and several links to name lists.
 

Online Lists of Saints
 

Roman Catholic Saints by Name - American Catholic.org

Patron Saints by their Cause- American Catholic.org

Find Your Saints

Saints.SQPN.com

Patron Saints - St. Charles Borromeo Parish

Saints & Angels - Catholic Online
 

 Bibliography