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

Brendan the Voyager (c.486–c.577), Irish abbot. Little definite is known about the life of Brendan beyond the facts that he was born in Kerry, that he was brought up by St Ita at Killeedy and that he founded a monastery at Clonfert in Galway around the year 559. Legend has it that the rule he drew up for use by the monks there was dictated to him by an angel. Other monasteries, such as those at Annadown, Inishdroum and Ardfert, may also have been founded by Brendan.

He is often remembered for the many journeys he made abroad and is said to have visited St Columba in Scotland, where he founded another monastery, to have crossed to Wales, where he served as abbot of a monastery, and to have sailed to Brittany in company with St Malo. He is honoured today as the patron saint of sailors. The feminine form Brenda is thought by some to derive from Brendon, but Brenda is more likely to be a name of an independent origin.

Variant: Brandan.

Brian (m)

[BRY-uhn] perhaps from Irish word for ‘hill’.

Blessed Brian Lacey (died 1591). Born in Yorkshire and cousin and assistant of the Venerable Montford Scott, he was betrayed by his brother Richard for being a Catholic.

Variant: Bryan.

Bridget (f)

[BRIJ-it] from the Irish name Brighid, meaning ‘exalted one’.

The name of two saints: St Bridget Swedish foundress (1303–73). Born in the province of Upland, Sweden, Bridget (or Birgitta) lived as a married woman for 28 years and bore eight children to her wealthy land-owning husband Ulf Godmarsson before his death in 1344. During this time she rose to the rank of principal lady-in-waiting to Queen Blanche of Sweden and in this post did her best to persuade the royal family to give up their immoral way of life. After her husband’s death, in defiance of the turbulence and decadence of the contemporary religious establishment, she founded a monastery for men and women at Vadstena, with herself as abbess, and from this institution evolved the Order of the Holy Saviour (popularly known as the Bridgettines). She became well known not only for her zeal as abbess but also for her prophetic visions, through which she offered guidance to popes and crowned heads. Today she is honoured as the patron saint of Sweden.

Also, the Irish abbess Brigid (c.450–523). Born the daughter of a slave woman and a Celtic chieftain in the vicinity of Dundalk, Brigid (or Bride) was granted her freedom and determined at an early age to pursue a life in the church. In due course she was accepted as a nun by St Mel, Bishop of Armagh, but defied the usual convention of living at home with her family by imitating the example of St Patrick (by whom she may have been baptised) and founding the first convents for nuns in Ireland. The first of her houses (for both men and women) was established at Kildare in 471 and, with Brigid as its first abbess, this soon became an important religious and academic centre. It also became famous for fine religious ornaments and manuscripts. Many other convents followed throughout Ireland. Brigid herself was celebrated both for her leadership skills and for her generosity towards the needy. Today she is honoured as the patron saint of Irish women, poets, blacksmiths and healers.

Variants: Biddy, Birgitta, Bride, Bridie, Brigid, Brigitta.

Bruno (m)

[BREW-noh] from Germanic ‘brown’.

German founder (c.1033–1101). Born into a noble family of Cologne, he studied at the cathedral school in Rheims before being ordained a priest and taking up a post teaching theology in Rheims around 1056. He remained in this post for 20 years but then incurred the disfavour of his archbishop, whom he accused of simony. Discharged from his office, Bruno and six companions retreated to the mountains near Grenoble and at a location called the Grande Chartreuse erected a modest church that in due course became the first home of the so-called Carthusian monks. From these humble beginnings grew the entire Carthusian order, which placed emphasis upon solitude, fasting, worship, hard work and repentance.

Bryce (m)

[brys] of uncertain origin.

French bishop (died 444), who was born in Touraine and studied for the church under St Martin of Tours at the monastery of Marmoutier, he eventually succeeded Martin as bishop of Tours in 397. He appears to have had an unruly nature, having to apologise to Martin for rash words on at least two occasions and as bishop being obliged to vacate his see around 430 and go into exile for some seven years after he was accused of various omissions and misdeeds. After going to Rome and gaining vindication from the Pope he returned to his post a reformed man and dedicated himself to his work, founding several new religious establishments.

Variant: Brice.

Caedmon (m)

[KAD-muhn] meaning unknown.

English poet (died c.680). According to Bede, Caedmon was a cowherd who lived near the great abbey at Whitby. During a dream one night he was miraculously endowed with a divine poetic gift and was inspired to compose a song in praise of God’s creation. This he subsequently performed in front of St Hilda and the monks of the abbey. Suitably impressed, they invited Caedmon to take up religious study and to join them as a monk. He went on to compose various songs based upon the Scriptures and in so doing established a lasting reputation as the first great English poet and the father of English sacred poetry.

Caesar (m)

[SEE-zuh] possibly from Latin caesaries, meaning ‘hair’.

The title of the Roman emperors from Augustus to Nero. Those mentioned in the New Testament are Augustus (27 BC–AD 14; Luke 2:1), Tiberius (AD 14–37; Luke 3:1), and Claudius (AD 41–54; Acts 11:28), though Nero (AD 54–68) and his persecution of Christians also cast his shadow over the early church.

Cain (m)

[kayn] from Hebrew, meaning ‘acquired’.

Adam and Eve’s eldest son who murdered his brother Abel. He became a wanderer, but God placed a mark on him for his protection (Genesis 4).

Caleb (m)

[KAY-leb] from Hebrew, meaning ‘dog’.

One of the twelve Israelite leaders sent by Moses to explore the Promised Land. Only Caleb and Joshua actually entered the Promised Land because of their wholehearted faith (Numbers 13–14).

Callista (f)

[kuh-LIS-tuh] from Greek kallistos, meaning ‘beautiful’.

Name derives from the names of the three popes named Callistus (also known as Callixtus) especially Callistus I (died c.222). Originally a slave, but his master put him charge of a bank, which soon failed. He then fled from Rome, but was captured and sentenced to forced labour of the treadmill. He was eventually freed but when found brawling in a synagogue he was sentenced to work in the mines of Sardinia. He was later released to be made manager of a Christian cemetery. He served well in that capacity and became a deacon. 18 years later he was chosen to be pope and had a short but controversial period of office, especially in that he was considered by some to be too lenient in his treatment of sinners.

Camillus (m)

[kuh-MIL-uhs] from Latin, of unknown origin.

Italian priest (1550–1614). Born at Bocchianico in the Abruzzi, he converted to Christianity and became a Capuchin novice only after fighting as a soldier of fortune against the Turks and after overcoming an addiction to gambling. A diseased leg resulting from his military experiences prevented him being admitted to the order so he dedicated himself instead to tending the incurably sick at a hospital in Rome. With the support of St Philip Neri, he became a priest in 1584 and founded the Ministers of the Sick to organise staff at eight hospitals throughout Italy. Today he is honoured as the patron saint of nurses and the sick.

Variant: Camille.

Feminine form: Camilla.

Candace (f)

[KAN-dis] meaning unknown.

A title of various queens of Ethiopia, one of whom is mentioned in the Bible (Acts 8:27).

Variants: Candice, Candida, Candy.

Carleen, Carlene feminine forms of Charles.

Carmel (f)

[KAH-muhl] ultimately from Hebrew, meaning ‘garden’.

Title of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The name of a mountain range stretching southeast from the Mediterranean near Acre, and of its chief peak at the north-west end where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). The order of Mendicant Friars known as the Carmelites dates from the twelfth century.

Variants: Carmelita, Carmen.

Carole, Caroline feminine forms of Charles.

Casper (m)