CHRISTIAN NAME

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does Christian name mean? 

• CHRISTIAN NAME (noun)
  The noun CHRISTIAN NAME has 1 sense:

1. the first name given to Christians at birth or christening

  Familiarity information: CHRISTIAN NAME used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CHRISTIAN NAME (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The first name given to Christians at birth or christening

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

baptismal name; Christian name

Hypernyms ("Christian name" is a kind of...):

first name; forename; given name (the name that precedes the surname)

 Context examples 

“Mr. Copperfield called her by it, because her Christian name was the same as mine.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Her Christian name: I always forget her Christian name.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

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 Christian name; and did not know whether she should ever be able to part with them.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

A week had not passed since Miss Hawkins's name was first mentioned in Highbury, before she was, by some means or other, discovered to have every recommendation of person and mind; to be handsome, elegant, highly accomplished, and perfectly amiable: and when Mr. Elton himself arrived to triumph in his happy prospects, and circulate the fame of her merits, there was very little more for him to do, than to tell her Christian name, and say whose music she principally played.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

They called each other by their Christian name, were always arm in arm when they walked, pinned up each other's train for the dance, and were not to be divided in the set; and if a rainy morning deprived them of other enjoyments, they were still resolute in meeting in defiance of wet and dirt, and shut themselves up, to read novels together.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

I telled Mary how it would be, he said: I knew what Mr. Edward (John was an old servant, and had known his master when he was the cadet of the house, therefore, he often gave him his Christian name)—I knew what Mr. Edward would do; and I was certain he would not wait long neither: and he's done right, for aught I know.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Oh, it's not her Christian name.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

“Impossible! I never can call you any thing but 'Mr. Knightley.' I will not promise even to equal the elegant terseness of Mrs. Elton, by calling you Mr. K. But I will promise,” she added presently, laughing and blushing—“I will promise to call you once by your Christian name.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

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.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

She lives with a relative; Christian name, unknown; surname, Peggotty; occupation, seafaring; also of this town.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)