Christian Christian Names: Baby Names inspired by the Bible and the Saints

Prophet active about 760 BC. Like his contemporary Hosea, he was unpopular for criticising the kingdom of Israel, predicting its downfall unless the people repented. His warnings were fulfilled when Israel fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC.

Amy (f)

[AY-mee] from Old French amée, ‘beloved’.

The name has been in use in the English-speaking world for several centuries. Originally it was known in its Latin form Amatus, after the thirteenth-century St Amatus, a Dominican nun of Bologna, Italy.

Variant: Aimee.

Ananaias (m)

[an-uh-NY-uhs] from Hebrew, meaning ‘the Lord is gracious’.

The name of three individuals in the New Testament. First, the husband of Sapphira who died suddenly because they lied to the church and God (Acts 5:1–11). Also a believer in Damascus who healed Paul’s blindness and told him of God’s plan to be a missionary (Acts 9:10–19). Third, a high priest before whom Paul was tried (Acts 23:2).

Anastasia (f)

[an-uh-STAY-zhuh] from Greek, meaning ‘resurrection’.

Martyr of Sirmium. Little is known of her life beyond the tradition that she was tortured and burnt alive for her faith in Sirmium (Srem Mitrovica in modern Serbia) in 304. Legend adds that earlier in her life she was twice rescued from death by the reformed prostitute St Theodota, who on one occasion piloted Anastasia’s ship to safety after she was abandoned at sea.

Variants: Stacey, Stacy.

Andrea, Andreana, Andrée feminine forms of Andrew.

Andrew (m)

[AN-drew] from Greek, meaning ‘manly, brave’.

One of the twelve apostles and the brother of Simon Peter. A fisherman like his brother, he had an important role in introducing people to Jesus (John 1:35–42). With his brother Simon (Peter), he responded to Christ’s summons to become ‘fishers of people’. Andrew became one of the leaders of the disciples and played a role at the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand and later in Jerusalem.

Also the name of several saints, including: Andrew of Crete (c.660–740), monk and Bishop of Jerusalem. Widely respected as a preacher and sacred poet, his poetic output included numerous hymns, some of which are still in use in the Byzantine church today.

Andrew Bobola (1591–1657), Polish Jesuit martyr. Born into an aristocratic Polish family, he joined the Jesuit order at Vilna in 1609 and in due course became head of the house at Bobruysk. He distinguished himself by his service to plague victims and dedicated himself to missionary work.

Andrew Corsini (1301–73), Italian bishop. Born in Florence, he had an unruly youth before reforming and becoming a Carmelite friar in Florence in 1318. He soon earned a reputation as a preacher and healer and in 1360 was chosen as the new bishop of Fiesole. He was much loved for his humility and his generosity towards the poor and lived in conditions of considerable austerity himself. As well as being patron saint of Russia and Scotland, which commemorates Andrew’s crucifixion in the X-shaped saltire of the national flag, he is also honoured as patron saint of Greece, of fishermen and of old maids.

Variants: André, Andreas, Andy, Drew.

Feminine forms: Andrea, Andreana, Andrée.

Angela (f)

[AN-juh-luh] from Greek, meaning ‘angel’ or ‘messenger’.

The name of two saints: Angela of Foligno (c.1248–1309), Italian visionary. Born at Foligno in Italy, Angela married a wealthy husband and as a young adult indulged in a life of luxury and sensuality. In 1285, however, she suddenly repented of her sinful ways and dedicated herself to penance and prayer. After the death of her husband, mother and sons from plague she joined the Franciscan Third Order in 1291. She demonstrated a special sympathy for the poor and the sick and became well known for her visions.

Angela Merici (c.1474–1540), Italian foundress of the Ursuline order. Born at Desenzano in Lombardy and orphaned at an early age, Angela Merici emerged as a leading figure in the Catholic Reformation in northern Italy. Though a laywoman herself, she spent much of her life occupied with the establishment of communities of unmarried women of all classes who desired to live a celibate Christian life. From these communities evolved the Company of St Ursula.

Variants: Angel, Angie, Angelica, Angelina, Angeline.

Male variant: Angelo.

Angelo male variant of Angela.

Ann, Anne (f)

[an] from the name Hannah, from Hebrew meaning ‘favour’ or ‘grace’.

Tradition names Ann as the mother of the Virgin Mary. According to the Protevangelium of James, Ann came from Bethlehem. Ann and her husband Joachim were devout and generous to the poor. They failed, however, to conceive any children for some 20 years, prompting them to promise God that if they did have a child they would consecrate the child to him. An angel appeared to Ann to announce that their prayer had been heard. Ann duly conceived and gave birth to Mary. Ann is honoured as the patron saint of Canada, Brittany, housewives, women in labour and cabinetmakers.

Variants: Anita, Annette, Annie, Annika, Nan, Nancy, Nanette, Nina.

Anna (f)

[AN-uh] from the name Hannah, from Hebrew meaning ‘favour’ or ‘grace’.

An elderly widow and prophet from the tribe of Asher. Anna recognised the baby Jesus as the Messiah when he was brought into the temple (Luke 2:36–38).

Variants: Ania, Anya.

Anne see Ann.

Anselm (m)

[AN-selm] from the Old German name Ansehelm, from ans ‘god’ and helm ‘helmet’.

Italian bishop (c.1033–1109). Born into a noble family of Piedmont in Italy, he attended monastery school from the age of five. In 1060 Anselm was admitted as a monk to the Benedictine order at Bec Abbey in Normandy, where he established a reputation as a preacher, scholar and teacher. In 1093 he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, in which role he proved a vigorous defendant of the English church against secular interference, frequently resisting the wishes of William II and Henry I and even having to go into temporary exile on two occasions because of his outspoken criticism. Anselm was a dedicated opponent of slavery and in 1102 secured a resolution of the ecclesiastical council at Westminster condemning the practice. Among those profoundly influenced by his writings were such notable figures as St Thomas Aquinas.

Variants: Ansel, Ansell.

Anthony, Antony (m)

[AN-tuh-nee] (an English form of the Roman clan name Antonius, with the h being added because of the incorrect association with Greek anthos ‘flower’).

The name of several saints, including the Egyptian hermit Antony (251–356). Born at Coma near Memphis in Egypt, Antony had an intense religious experience while listening to the proclamation of the gospel at mass at the age of 20. He responded to this by giving away all his considerable possessions and taking up the life of a hermit in a hut just outside Memphis, dedicating himself to prayer and contemplation and resisting the torments and temptations of daily life. After 15 years there he felt the need for greater solitude and withdrew to an isolated mountain in the Libyan desert, thus becoming one of the founders of the monastic tradition. Aged 55 he founded a loose community of monks who met for worship and teaching.

Also Antony of Padua (c.1196–1231), Portuguese preacher and theologian. Born in Lisbon, Antony of Padua entered an Augustinian monastery at Coimbra near Lisbon in 1210 and earned a reputation as a scholar and preacher. At the age of 25 he joined the Franciscans with the ambition of serving as a missionary with them. Illness, however, prevented him from performing such work overseas and he had to content himself with preaching in central Italy. He became one of the most celebrated preachers of his day, attracting huge audiences wherever he went. Impressed by Antony’s gifts, St Francis appointed him teacher of theology to the Franciscan order (the first person to be given the post). He spent his final years in Padua before his premature death at the age of 36, preaching and promoting reform there.

He is honoured today as the patron saint of Portugal and of lost articles (a reference to the legend that when a young friar stole a valuable manuscript from the saint a terrifying demon menaced the youth, obliging him to return the manuscript to its owner).

Variants: Antoine, Anton, Antonio, Tony.

Feminine forms: Antoinette, Antonia, Toni.

Antoinette, Antonia feminine forms of Anthony.

Antony see Anthony.