Christian name

From Christian + name.

Christian name (plural Christian names)

1. (Christianity) A first name formally given to a child at a Christian baptism.
2. (by extension) Any forename.
3. (Singapore) An English given name, particularly for ethnic Chinese who usually have a separate Chinese name.

Many non-Christian people find this term offensive when used to refer to them. The synonyms can be used to avoid any possible offense.

• 1811, [Jane Austen], chapter XII, in Sense and Sensibility , volume I, London: C Roworth, , and published by T Egerton, , →OCLC, pages 137–138:

  This was all overheard by Miss Dashwood; and in the whole of the sentence, in his manner of pronouncing it, and in his addressing her sister by her christian name alone, she instantly saw an intimacy so decided, a meaning so direct, as marked a perfect agreement between them.

• 1811, [Jane Austen], chapter XIV, in Sense and Sensibility , volume II, London: C Roworth, , and published by T Egerton, , →OCLC, pages 277–278:

  Mrs. Dashwood had never been so much pleased with any young women in her life, as she was with them; had given each of them a needle-book, made by some emigrant; called Lucy by her christen name; and did not know whether she should ever be able to part with them.

• first name
• forename
• given name
• front name

• Sunday name