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Christian Christian Names

Aaron (m)

[AIR-uhn, A-ruhn] from Hebrew or Egyptian, possibly meaning ‘bright’ or ‘mountaineer’.

Aaron, Moses’ elder brother and Israel’s first high priest, whose main role was to assist Moses. He served as spokesman for Moses, because Moses was ‘slow of speech’. Aaron held up Moses’ hands in battle (Exodus 17:12). He was involved in several controversies, especially in making and worshipping the golden calf (Exodus 32), and in publicly criticising Moses (Numbers 12). Later, God confirmed his leading role through the rod that budded (‘Aaron’s rod’) (Numbers 17).

Abel (m)

[AY-bull] from Hebrew, meaning ‘breath’.

Abel, Adam and Eve’s second son, who worked as a shepherd. He offered a sacrifice that was acceptable to God, through faith (Genesis 4:1–16; Hebrews 11:4), but was murdered by his brother Cain. When God asked where Abel was, Cain replied, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ God judged Cain by making him ‘a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth’.

Variant: Abe.

Abigail (f)

[AB-i-gayl] from Hebrew, meaning ‘father’s joy’.

A woman of beauty, wisdom and faith who saved her first husband Nabal, a rich shepherd, but one who was surly and mean. When David sent his men to Nabal, seeking supplies of food, Nabal insulted them. When David’s men returned to David, he prepared to destroy him. Abigail lost no time in humbly coming to David with a kind offer of food. Her gracious wise diplomacy persuaded David not to attack. She married David after Nabal died (1 Samuel 25).

The name and occupation came into more general use from the ‘waiting gentlewoman’ in the play The Scornful Lady by Sir Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, first performed in 1610. Swift, Fielding and other novelists of the period used the name further and it became popularised by the notoriety of Abigail Hill, lady-in-waiting to Queen Anne, 1704–14, who used her friendship with the queen to try to secure personal favours.

Variants: Abbey, Abbie, Abby, Gail, Gale.

Abner (m)

[AB-nuh] from Hebrew, meaning ‘father is light’.

Saul’s cousin and commander-in-chief in Saul’s army. After Saul died, Abner temporarily upheld the authority of the king’s family. He was murdered by David’s commander Joab who was suspicious when Abner tried to join David (2 Samuel 3:22–38). After Abner’s death, David mourned him, saying, ‘A prince and a great man has fallen in Israel this day.’

Abraham (m)

[AY-bruh-ham] from Hebrew, meaning ‘father of many’.

The chief recipient of God’s promises in the Old Testament and regarded by Jews as the father of their people. Abraham lived in the early centuries of the second millennium BC. His original name was Abram (‘the father is exalted’). The story of Abraham in Genesis is organised around the theme of how God began to fulfil some of the promises he had made to him. When God called Abraham at Ur in Southern Iraq and at Haran, he promised him a land, many descendants, a great name, and said he would become a blessing to many peoples (Genesis 12:2–3). Abraham’s continuing childlessness, however, was a serious threat to all these promises, and during the period of waiting, he attempted to find his own ways of producing an heir (Genesis 15:1–4; 16:1–4, 15–16), though he also grew in faith as God confirmed his intentions in a covenant (Genesis 15:1–6; 17:1–27). Isaac was eventually born when Abraham was 100 years old, but God continued to test Abraham, commanding him to offer his son as a sacrifice.

Abraham’s obedience to God and his confidence that ‘The Lord Will Provide’ (Genesis 22:14) make him the supreme example of faith in the New Testament. Abraham’s final actions in buying a family burial ground and obtaining a wife for Isaac point to a future fulfilment of the promises of land and descendants.

Variant: Abe.

Absalom (m)

[AB-suh-luhm] from Hebrew, meaning ‘father of peace’.

David’s third son, who overthrew his father and was king for a brief time while David fled across the Jordan. David regained the throne as a result of Absalom receiving bad advice, but despite all this, David was grief-stricken at Absalom’s tragic death in an accident (2 Samuel 15:1–18:33): ‘O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!’

Adam (m)

[AD-uhm] from Hebrew, closely related to the word for ‘man’.

The name of the first man as well as the Hebrew word for ‘human race’. He was in the Garden of Eden and given Eve as a helper. They disobeyed God and so brought sin into the world. In the New Testament, Adam usually represents the human race in its sinful rebellion against God (Romans 5:12–21), though he is also the first man and ‘the son of God’ (Luke 3:38). Jesus Christ is described as ‘the last Adam’ (1 Corinthians 15:45).

Variant: Edom.

Adelaide (f)

[a-duh-LAYD] from an Old German name meaning ‘nobility’.

French empress of Germany (931–999). The daughter of Rudolf II of Burgundy, Adelaide became the wife of Prince Lothair of Italy and, after his death, married Otto the Great of Germany in 951. Otto was crowned emperor by Pope John XII shortly afterwards, with Adelaide as his empress. Otto’s family, led by his daughter Theophano, resented Adelaide’s influence and, after Otto’s death, spent the next 20 years working to alienate Otto’s son the emperor Otto II from his mother, finding fault for instance with her unstinting generosity to the poor. Adelaide was obliged to live for a time in retirement from the court but was reconciled with her son Otto before his death, after which she had again to go into retreat.

After Theophano’s death in 991 Adelaide finally returned as regent and used her authority to revitalise the religious establishment, founding and restoring monasteries and promoting the evangelisation of the Slavs. She died at a convent she had founded at Seltz in Alsace.

Variant: Ada.

Adlai (m)

[AD-lay] from Hebrew, meaning ‘my adornment’.

The father of Shaphat, who was responsible for David’s cattle in the valleys (1 Chronicles 27:29).

Adrian (m)

[AY-dree-uhn] from Latin Hadrianus, meaning ‘of Adria’ (the town in Italy that gave its name to the Adriatic Sea).

Adrian (died c.304), martyr of Nicomedia. According to legend, Adrian was a Roman officer stationed at Nicomedia who was so moved by the courage of the Christians he persecuted that he declared himself to be a Christian also. He was thrown into prison, where he was visited by his Christian wife Natalia. Further visits were barred after Adrian was sentenced to death, but Natalia continued to see him by disguising herself as a boy and bribing the gaoler. She attended her husband’s execution and retrieved his remains.

Also the name of the African-born English abbot Adrian of Canterbury (died 710). While serving as abbot of the monastery at Nerida in Italy he was twice offered the post of Archbishop of Canterbury by Pope Vitalian, but turned down the offer both times. On the second occasion, however, he agreed to accompany the eventual choice, the Greek monk Theodore, to England and once there accepted the post of abbot of the monastery school of St Peter and St Paul (later renamed St Augustine’s) in Canterbury. Over the following 40 years he went on to consolidate his reputation as a scholar and administrator and to bolster the standing of Canterbury as a centre of religious learning.

Variant: Hadrian.

Feminine forms: Adriana, Adrienne.

Adriana, Adrienne feminine forms of Adrian.

Agatha (f)

[A-guh-thuh] from Greek, meaning ‘good’.

Sicilian martyr (third century). Tradition has it that Agatha was of noble birth but as a young woman incurred the wrath of a consul called Quintian after she refused his advances, having dedicated her virginity to Christ. Charging her with being a Christian, Quintian handed her over to a brothel-keeper but, when she emerged uncorrupted, had her savagely tortured instead. During the torture, St Peter appeared in a vision to heal her wounds. Her death in prison as she was rolled over hot coals was preceded by an earthquake.

Agnes (f)

[AG-ness] from Greek, meaning ‘pure’.

Agnes, Roman martyr (died c.304). Despite her fame, little definite is known about the life of St Agnes beyond the fact that while still a child she died the death of a virgin martyr in Rome and was buried in the cemetery on the Via Nomentana, where a church dedicated to her memory was later erected. Various embellishments have been added to the bare facts of her life story suggesting the reasons for her arrest and execution. According to one of these she was a beautiful young girl of around 12 years old who offered her life voluntarily in exchange for those of other victims of persecution. Another suggests she was put to death as a Christian in revenge after refusing all suitors on the grounds that she had dedicated her virginity to Christ. She became a lasting symbol of chastity and innocence and is honoured today as the patron saint of betrothed couples, virgins and gardeners.

Also the name of the Italian nun, Agnes of Montepulciano (c.1268–1317). Born into a wealthy family in Tuscany, Agnes was brought up by the nuns of Montepulciano and in due course became bursar and superioress of a new convent at Proceno. Widely known both for her humble lifestyle (she slept on the ground with a rock for a pillow) and for her visions, she was persuaded back to Montepulciano and there established a new convent in a former brothel, subsequently attaching it to the Dominican order and being appointed prioress in 1306. She became well known for her prophecies and as a worker of miraculous cures.

Aidan (m)

[AY-duhn] from Irish Gaelic, meaning ‘small fire’.

Irish missionary (died 651). Aidan served as a monk in the monastery on Iona before being sent to Northumbria as a missionary around the year 635. Raised to the rank of bishop, he chose the island of Lindisfarne as his base and there founded a monastery that became in due course one of the most influential religious centres in Britain. From Lindisfarne he conducted numerous evangelising journeys through the mainland, establishing many churches and monasteries with the support of St Oswald, king of Northumbria, and his successor Oswin.

A gentle and discreet man, according to the Venerable Bede, Aidan won many converts through his generosity towards the needy and through his opposition to slavery.

Variant form: Aiden.

Alan (m)

[A-luhn] from a Celtic name meaning ‘harmony’.

Breton saint (‘Blessed Alan de la Roche’) who belonged to the Dominican order, and was well known for his accomplished sermons. His special task was to advance devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the practice of the rosary.

Variant forms: Allan, Allen.

Alban (m)

[ALL-buhn] ultimately from Latin albus, meaning ‘white’.

Third-century English martyr. Alban was a prominent citizen of the Roman city of Verulamium (modern St Albans) who was beheaded for his faith around the middle of the third century, during the reign of Diocletian.

According to the Venerable Bede, Alban converted to Christianity after offering shelter to a priest hiding from Roman soldiers, impressed by the man’s piety and devotion. When the soldiers eventually called at his house to arrest the priest, Alban donned the fugitive’s gown and was arrested in his stead, allowing the real priest to escape. When the imposture was discovered, the authorities insisted that Alban should make a sacrifice to the gods and, when he refused, sentenced him to be tortured and put to death. A substantial church (later abbey) was subsequently erected on the site where Alban died, thus becoming the first martyr of the British Isles. He is honoured as the patron saint of converts and victims of torture.

Albert (m)

[AL-buht] from the Old German name Adalbert, from athal ‘noble’ and berhta ‘bright’.

German theologian and bishop, Albert the Great (1206–80). Born into a wealthy family in Swabia, Germany, Albert the Great (or Albertus Magnus) began his career in the church at the age of 16, when he became a Dominican friar. He spent the next 20 years teaching in Paris and at various German Dominican universities, earning a wide reputation as a scholar, his pupils including St Thomas Aquinas.

Today he is recognised as a founder of medieval scholastic philosophy, although he also wrote on a variety of other subjects, including mathematics, physics, astronomy, geography, mineralogy, chemistry, biology, botany, politics, economics and alchemy. His conclusions included the revolutionary notion that the world was spherical rather than flat. He held a number of ecclesiastical posts between 1254 and 1262, among them theologian to the pope and bishop of Regensburg, but felt he was not suited to administrative roles and eventually gave up his see. He passed his final years teaching in Cologne, although he also returned to Paris (1277) in order to conduct a defence of the work of his recently deceased student Thomas Aquinas. He is honoured as the patron saint of students of natural science.

Variants: Al, Bert, Bertie.

Feminine form: Alberta.

Alberta feminine form of Albert.

Aldo (m)

[AL-doh] from an Old German name, from ald, meaning ‘old’.

An eighth-century saint and native of Siena, Italy, who after her husband’s death gave away all her possessions and dedicated her life to helping the poor and sick. During her life, she saw ecstatic visions.

Variant: Aldous.

Alexander (m)

[a-LEX-ahn-duh] from Greek, meaning ‘defender of men’.

Bishop of Alexandria (died 326). As bishop of Alexandria from 312, Alexander faced opposition from Meletius of Lycopolis, who disagreed with his lenient attitude towards lapsed Catholics. Further problems arose through the activities of a priest named Kolluth who had assumed the power to ordain deacons and priests and, even more seriously, from another priest called Arius, whose ideas about Christ’s divinity and sinless nature diverged from those of the orthodox church and in due course evolved into full heretical form under the title Arianism.

Alexander’s initial approach to Arius was gentle persuasion, but when this did not work, he summoned a synod of Egyptian bishops to condemn and excommunicate him. Arius whipped up support throughout the East and it was not until 325, when Emperor Constantine sided with Alexander at the council of Nicea, that the Arian heresy was officially condemned. Alexander died soon afterwards, naming Athanasius as his successor.

Variants: Al, Alasdair, Alastair, Alec, Alex, Alexis, Alistair, Lex, Sacha, Sachy, Sandy, Xan, Xander, Zander.

Feminine forms: Alexandra, Alexia, Sandra.

Alexandra, Alexia, Alexa, feminine forms of Alexander.

Alexis (m, f)

[uh-LEK-sis] from Greek, meaning ‘defender’.

Beggar of Mesopotamia (fifth century). The life of Saint Alexis is largely a matter of legend. Tradition has it that he was the son of a wealthy Roman nobleman who abandoned his bride on their wedding day to go on pilgrimage and ultimately chose a life of poverty in Syria. He willingly shared everything he received with other needy people. A further legend claims that he spent the last years of his life living incognito as a servant in his father’s household in Rome.

Sometimes considered as a variant or feminine form of Alexander.

Aleydis (f)

[uh-LAY-dis] from Germanic, meaning ‘noble cheer’.

Thirteenth-century Cistercian saint. Born at Shaerbeck, near Belgium, Brussels, she entered the Cistercian convent there at the tender age of seven, staying for the remainder of her life. She was noted for her humility and kindness. At a young age, however, she contracted leprosy and so had to be treated in isolation, with the illness eventually paralysing and blinding her. She received much divine help and assurance including ecstatic visions.

Variants: Alice, Alicia, Alison, Allison.

Aloysius (m)

[al-uh-WISH-uhs] Latinised form of Aloys.

Italian Jesuit student (1568–91). Born Aloysius Luigi Gonzaga into a noble family of Lombardy, he attended military school before experiencing life at the court of the duke of Mantua. He felt such disgust at the immorality of the court that he refused to accept his inheritance and chose instead a life of prayer and self-denial. He defied the wishes of his family and in 1585 joined the Jesuits, who succeeded in persuading him to give up the more excessive practices of mortification that he favoured. Though he himself never enjoyed the best of health because of a kidney complaint, he dedicated himself to tending victims of the plague in Rome and in due course died of the disease himself, aged just 23.

Alphonsine feminine form of Alphonsus.

Alphonsus (m)

[al-FON-suhs] from the Spanish name Alfonso, from the Old German athal ‘noble’ and funsa ‘ready’.

Alphonsus de Orozco (1500–91), Spanish mystic and spiritual writer. Born in Oropesa, Avila, in Spain, he spent much of his early life in solitude, responding from a command received in a vision of the Virgin Mary to write extensively about prayer and the Christian way of living. His works include his Confessions, in which he recounts his own spiritual journey. He became an Augustinian friar at Salamanca in 1522 and dedicated much of his time to prayer. He spent many years of his life preaching to the Spanish nobility in Madrid and hearing their confessions, exercising a strong influence on many prominent figures in public life.

The Italian bishop, theologian and mystic Alphonsus Liguori (1696–1787). Born in Marianella, near Naples, Alphonsus Marie Liguori pursued a highly successful career as a lawyer in Naples before losing a high-profile court case in 1723 and giving up the profession in humiliation. As the result of a vision he defied the wishes of his family and joined the Fathers of the Oratory, being ordained in 1717 and earning a wide reputation as a preacher. In 1732 he founded his own order, called the Congregation of the Most Holy Saviour, popularly known as the Redemptorist Congregation. Appointed Bishop of Sant’ Agata dei Goti at the age of 66, he was always a controversial figure within the church establishment and some time before his death was even excluded from the Redemptorist community he had founded. He wrote numerous books and pamphlets, of which the most influential included Moral Theology and Victories of the Martyrs.

Also the name of the Spanish Jesuit lay brother Alphonsus Rodriguez (1533–1617). Born in Segovia in Spain, Alphonsus Rodriguez had a troubled childhood, having to help his mother run the family wool business after the death of his father when he was 14. He married at the age of 23 but his wife died three years later, shortly followed by his mother and his two children. When his business failed, he attempted to join the Jesuits at Valencia but was refused because of his lack of education. Despite his relatively advanced age, he took up Latin studies and in 1571 was finally admitted by the Jesuits as a lay brother. He spent the next 45 years serving as doorkeeper at the Montesione College on Majorca, earning a wide reputation as a spiritual adviser. Those who profited from his guidance included St Peter Claver, who was inspired by the advice of Alphonsus to take up missionary work.

Variants: Al, Alfonso, Alphonse, Alphonsus.

Feminine form: Alphonsine.

Alva (m)

[AL-vah] probably from Hebrew, meaning ‘exalted’.

Mentioned, in the form Alvah, in the Old Testament as a descendant of Esan and clan leader of the Edomites (Genesis 36:40; 1 Chronicles 1:51).

Amanda (f)

[uh-MAN-duh] feminine form of Amandus, meaning ‘worthy of love’.

Seventh-century French saint. Born into a noble family, he became a monk at the abbey of St Martin near Tours. King Clotaire II requested him to undertake missionary work in Flanders and Holland. Under his later ministry, many people were converted.

Variant: Mandy.

Ambrose (m)

[AM-broze] from Greek, meaning ‘immortal’.

German-born bishop (c.339–397). Born in Trier in Germany, Ambrose was the son of the prefect of Gaul and studied law, literature, philosophy and Greek in Rome. His appointment as Bishop of Milan in 374 came as a considerable surprise as Ambrose had not even been baptised, having been sent to Milan simply to maintain peace between rival Catholics and supporters of the Arian heresy. As bishop, however, he gave away his possessions and dedicated himself to the study of Christianity. He soon earned a reputation as a powerful preacher and scholar and also emerged as the leading opponent of Arianism in the West, driving its adherents out of Milan. His writings advanced the cause of Christianity in Western Europe. Notable figures who were deeply influenced by his example included St Augustine who met him in Milan in 386 and was inspired by him to convert to Christianity. He is honoured today as the patron saint of learning and of beekeepers and candlemakers.

Variant: Emrys.

Amity (f)

[AM-i-tee] from English amity, meaning ‘friendship’.

The name stands for the qualities of friendship, kindness and fondness.

Amos (m)

[AY-MOSS] from Hebrew, meaning ‘burden-bearer’.

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.

Apollonia (f)

[a-puh-LO-nee-uh] from Greek, meaning ‘of Apollo’.

Martyr of Alexandria (died 249). Tradition has it that Apollonia was an elderly deaconess of Alexandria who was among the Christians put to death by a rioting mob. Her attackers knocked out several of her teeth before moving to burn her alive if she did not renounce her faith. Before they could manhandle her further Apollonia offered a brief prayer and then walked willingly into the fire. She is honoured today as the patron saint of dentists.

Variants: Appolina, Appoline.

Apollos (m)

[a-POL-uhs] from Greek, meaning ‘destroyer’.

A gifted teacher in the church at Corinth, but whose initial enthusiasm at Ephesus needed correction (Acts 18:24–28).

Aquila (m)

[uh-KWIL-uh] from Latin, meaning ‘eagle’.

With his wife Priscilla he was a close friend of Paul (Acts 18:1–3), who had an influential teaching ministry and travelled widely for the sake of the gospel.

Archelaus (m)

[are-kee-LAY-uhs] from Greek, meaning ‘people’s chief’.

Archelaus was the son of Herod the Great who ruled Judea, Idumea and Samaria from 4 BC to 6 AD. He was known for his intense cruelty and tyranny. When Mary and Joseph left Egypt with the infant Jesus, they avoided going to Judea and instead went to Nazareth. (Matthew 2:22).

Ariel (m, f)

[AIR-ee-uhl] from Hebrew, meaning ‘lion of God’, ‘hearth of God’ or ‘altar of God’.

The name is applied in the Old Testament to two bold Moabites who were killed by David’s warrior Benaiah (‘two lionlike men’, 2 Samuel 23:20, KJV). Also the name of one of the men sent by Ezra to met Iddo (Ezra 8:16).

Arnold (m)

[AR-nuhld] from Old German, meaning ‘eagle strength’.

Greek by birth, Arnold served in the court of the Emperor Charlemagne. He was known especially for his great devotion and his kind service to the poor. He died in approximately 800.

Variant: Arnaud.

Artemis (m)

[ARE-tuh-mis] a Greek name.

A Greek goddess of the moon and hunting whose Latin name was Diana. She had an imposing temple in Ephesus where her statue was thought to have fallen from heaven (Acts 19:27–35).

Asa (m)

[AY-suh, AY-zuh] from Hebrew, meaning ‘doctor’.

King of Judah (c.913–873 BC) who led a religious reformation in his early years, but who later put his faith in human resources rather than God (1 Kings 15:9–24).

Asher (m)

[A-shuh] from Hebrew, meaning ‘blessed’ or ‘happy’.

The eighth son of Jacob (Genesis 30:12–13), born by Zilpah, the maidservant of his wife Leah. Also the name of the tribe descended from Asher that lived in the coastal area northwards from Mount Carmel (Joshua 19:24–31).

Audrey (f)

[AW-dree] Variant of Etheldreda.

In olden times a fair was held annually in Ely on 17 October in honour of this saint. The fair was noted for its quality jewellery and fine silk scarves, which in time came to be known as St Audrey’s laces. Later, however, the fine scarves were replaced by cheap, gaudy imitations and so the word tawdry developed, a shortening and alteration of (Sain)t Audrey(‘s laces), a term that is now applied to anything that is showy but of poor quality.

Variant: Aud.

Augustine (m)

[AW-guhs-teen, uh-GUS-tin] from Latin, meaning ‘great’ or ‘venerable’.

The name of two saints: Augustine of Hippo (354–430), bishop and theologian. Born in Tagaste (modern Algeria) in North Africa the son of a pagan father, Augustine lived a dissolute youth that he subsequently came to repent of. He founded a school of rhetoric in Milan, Italy in 383 and soon began to feel the need to reform, finally converting to Christianity in 386 while in Milan (partly through the influence of the teachings of St Ambrose). He returned to Africa that same year and was ordained a priest at Hippo in 391. He was raised to the rank of bishop in 396 and for the next four decades gained recognition as the most prominent figure in the north African church. He founded a number of monasteries and also defended the orthodox position against various heresies. His extensive writings, which included Confessions and On the City of God, had a profound and lasting upon Christian theology. He is honoured as the patron saint of theologians.

Augustine of Canterbury (died c.605), Italian missionary bishop. Augustine served as a monk at the monastery of St Andrew in Rome, becoming prior there, before being selected by Pope Gregory the Great to lead a band of 40 missionaries to Britain in 597. Once in England, Augustine won the support of St Ethelbert, King of Kent, who soon set an example for his subjects by converting to Christianity. Consecrated as Archbishop of the English, Augustine established his see at Canterbury and founded the monastery of St Peter and St Paul (renamed St Augustine’s) there. Over the next seven years he went on to organise two further sees, for the East Saxons and at Rochester. Other significant contributions included his role in advising King Ethelbert in drawing up the earliest extant Anglo-Saxon written laws. Augustine is remembered today as the most important figure in the early evangelisation of Britain.

Variants: Austen, Austin, Gus.

Aurelia (f)

[aw-REEL-yuh] from Latin, meaning ‘golden’.

Originally a French princess, Aurelia decided to become a hermit. Accepting the advice of St Wolfgang of Regensburg, she spent over 50 years as a recluse in a Benedictine abbey in Salzburg. She died in 1027.

Balthasar (m)

[BAL-tha-zah] from Phoenician ba’al, meaning ‘protect the king’.

One of the wise men (‘Magi’) who followed the leading of the star and came from the East to Jerusalem and then Bethlehem to worship the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1–12). According to tradition, they were three in number and they were named Balthasar, Casper and Melchior.

Barak (m)

[ba-RAK] from Hebrew, meaning ‘lightning’.

An Israelite leader who commanded Israel’s tribal mercenaries alongside Deborah against Canaanite forces. God gave Israel a famous victory by means of the weather, but the honour went to Jael, a woman who killed the Canaanite’s leader Sisera (Judges 4–5).

The names Barack and Baraka have origins that are different from Barak. Barack and Baraka are Swahili, coming from an Arabic root meaning ‘blessing’. They are found especially in East Africa, before the name of Barack Obama (named after his Kenyan father) came to symbolise diversity within the USA.

Barbara (f)

[BAH-buh-ruh] (from Greek, meaning ‘strange’).

According to tradition, Barbara was a beautiful young virgin who lived in the third or fourth century. To remove Barbara from the attentions of her many admirers, her father Dioscurus confined her in a tower but was subsequently enraged to discover she had become a Christian. He attempted to kill her for her temerity, but was miraculously prevented from completing the act. After Dioscurus reported Barbara to the authorities she was tortured and formally condemned to death by beheading, Dioscurus volunteering himself as her executioner. As Barbara expired her father was struck by lightning and burnt to ashes. She is honoured as the patron saint of gunners, miners and firefighters.

Variants: Bab, Babs, Barbie, Barbra, Bobbie.

Barnabas (m)

[BAH-nuh-buhs] from Hebrew meaning ‘son of encouragement’.

A Jewish-Cypriot leader in the early church who had an important ministry in encouraging others. He contributed generously to the Jerusalem church, but his most important action was in persuading the leaders there to accept Saul of Tarsus as a genuine convert (Acts 9:26–27). After leading the young church at Antioch, he was sent out from there with Paul on the church’s first missionary journey (Acts 13:1–3). Initially Barnabas was the leader, but soon graciously gave way to his younger colleague’s greater gifts. Though he separated from Paul over whether Barnabas’ cousin Mark should accompany them on a second journey and went his own way to Cyprus, Paul continued to express his admiration for Barnabus (Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11). Today he is honoured as the patron saint of Cyprus.

Variants: Barnaby, Barney.

Bartholomew (m)

[BAH-thol-uh-mew] from Hebrew, meaning ‘son of Talmai’.

One of the twelve apostles, named in Mark 3:18 and often identified as being the same person as Nathanael, whose meeting with Christ is described at John 1:45–51. No other details are known of his life, but he is credited with advancing the cause of Christianity through the Indian subcontinent. Legend has it that he died a martyr in Armenia. His body is said to have been taken to an island in the Tiber at Rome and his church there became a famous centre of medical expertise (hence the naming of Barts hospital in London). He is honoured as the patron saint of tanners and others who work with skins and leather, such as bookbinders, furriers and cobblers.

Variant: Bart.

Bartimaeus (m)

[BAH-ti-may-uhs] from Aramaic bar, meaning ‘son’ and Greek timaios, meaning ‘honourable’.

A blind beggar from Jericho who received his sight from Jesus as a result of his persistence (Mark 10:46–52).

Baruch (m)

[buh-ROOK] from Hebrew, meaning ‘blessed’.

Jeremiah’s secretary and companion who wrote down Jeremiah’s prophecies and read them to the people (Jeremiah 36).

Basil (m)

[BA-zil] from Greek, meaning ‘kingly’.

Cappadocian bishop (c.329–379). Born into a wealthy Christian family of Caesarea (in modern Turkey), Basil was persuaded by his older sister Macrina to give up a promising secular career and join the church. Accordingly, in 356 he founded a monastery on the family estate in Pontus (perhaps the first monastery in Asia Minor) and established a monastic rule there that became a model for the development of early monasticism in the East, which is still the basis of Orthodox monasticism. Together with St Gregory of Nyssa, these saints are sometimes known as the ‘Three Cappadocians’.

Because of his profound influence upon the growth of early monasticism and for his undoubted leadership qualities, Basil is identified as one of the Doctors of the Church and is often referred to as Basil the Great. He is honoured as the patron saint of Russia.

Variants: Bas, Baz.

Feminine form: Basilea.

Basilea feminine form of Basil.

Bathsheba (f)

[bath-SHEE-buh] from Hebrew bath, meaning ‘daughter’ and sheba, meaning ‘seven(th)’ or possibly ‘oath’.

A beautiful woman with whom David committed adultery while her husband Uriah was fighting in Israel’s army (2 Samuel 11:2–5). David’s first child by her died at seven days old, but her second son Solomon became David’s successor (1 Kings 1:11–40).

Variant: Sheba.

Beatrice (f)

[BEER-tris] from Latin, meaning ‘bringer of happiness’.

Beatrice da Silva (1424–90), Portuguese abbess. Born into a noble Portuguese family, Beatrice (or Beatrix) spent her childhood in the royal court and accompanied Queen Isabel of Portugal to the court in Spain. Briefly imprisoned on false charges, she abandoned the life of the court and joined the Cistercian convent of Santo Domingo de Silos in Toledo. Ultimately she founded the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is honoured as the patron saint of prisoners.

Variants: Beat, Beatrix, Beattie, Bee, Trix, Trixie.

Beauty (f)

[BEW-ti] from Latin bellus.

Physical or spiritual attractiveness that delights the senses. The Bible sees God as the creator of beauty: ‘He has made everything beautiful in its time’ (Ecclesiastes 3:11, NIV). God himself is also worthy of all admiration and enjoyment as the One who is supremely beautiful.

Bel (f)

[bel] from Akkadian, meaning ‘master’ or ‘lord’.

Name or title of the god of Babylon, Marduk (Isaiah 46:1; Jeremiah 50:2). Also features in the apocryphal book Bel and the Dragon, which is one of the Additions to the Book of Daniel. The name is unrelated to Bell or Belle.

Benedict (m)

[BEN-uh-dikt] from Latin benedictus, meaning ‘blessed’.

Name of various saints, including Benedict of Nursia, (c.480–c.547), Italian patriarch and founder of the Benedictine Rule, considered the father of western monasticism. Beyond the fact that he was born into a prosperous family in Nursia in Umbria, little is known of the details of Benedict’s life. Tradition has it that, revolted by the degeneracy of Rome, he opted initially for the life of a hermit, living in a cave near Subiaco. In due course he was asked to assume the leadership of a community of monks nearby, only for them to attempt to poison him when they failed to live up to his high expectations.

Subsequently he organised the disciples he had attracted into 12 new communities, including the monastery of Monte Cassino (founded c.529). For these communities Benedict formulated the Regula Monarchorum or Benedictine Rule, to provide practical and spiritual guidance. This profoundly influential rule placed particular emphasis upon the role of the monastery as a place of sanctuary and education and directed monks to spend most of their time praying, studying, working and living on a communal basis. They were also expected to preach and do charitable work among the local population.

The Benedictine Rule provided the foundation for monastic life throughout the Western world and it is still observed in many monasteries today. He is honoured as the patron saint of Europe and also of cave explorers.

Benedict the Black (1526–89), Sicilian lay brother. Born to Black African slaves near Messina in Sicily, he was granted his freedom when he reached the age of 18. As a young man his restraint when insulted because of his colour impressed the leader of a community of Franciscan hermits based near San Fratello and he was invited to join the group. In due course he succeeded to the leadership of the community. In 1578, though still a lay brother and unable to read, Benedict the Black (otherwise called Benedict the African) was persuaded to take charge of the friary and set about returning the community to a stricter observance of the rule of St Francis.

Benedict Biscop (628–689), English abbot. Born Biscop Baducing into a wealthy Northumbrian family, he served as a courtier of King Oswy until 653, when he abandoned the secular life with the intention of becoming a monk. Shortly afterwards, he undertook the first of six pilgrimages to Rome. On his way back from the second of these journeys, he took his vows as a monk and assumed the name Benedict (or Benet). After his third trip to Rome he was appointed abbot of St Augustine’s in Canterbury under the Archbishop of Canterbury St Theodore. Around this time he conceived the idea of founding a monastery of his own and in due course returned to Rome in order to conduct a tour of the greatest monasteries already founded.

Once back in England, with the support of King Egfrith, he founded Wearmouth Abbey (the first Romanesque church in northern England) in 674. After a fifth visit to Rome in 678, in the course of which he gathered together a rich treasury of books and relics, a second monastery followed at Jarrow.

As well as furnishing his monasteries with the books, paintings and relics he had brought back from Rome, he also introduced the Gregorian style of singing and chanting that he had heard abroad, thus having a profound and lasting impact upon religious practice in England throughout succeeding centuries. He is also credited with the first use of glass windows in English churches. He is honoured as the patron saint of painters and musicians.

Variants: Ben, Benedick, Benito, Bennett, Benny.

Feminine forms: Benedicta, Benita.

Benedicta, Benita feminine forms of Benedict.

Benjamin (m)

[BEN-juh-min] from Hebrew, meaning ‘son of my right hand’.

Jacob’s youngest son, whose mother Rachel died in childbirth. Though initially kept at home when his brothers went to Egypt to find food, he became the means by which Joseph was reconciled to his brothers (Genesis 42:20–45:15). Also the name of the tribe descended from Benjamin, from whom Esther (Esther 2:5) and the apostle Paul (Philippians 3:5) came.

Variants: Ben, Benji, Benny.

Bernadette (f)

[BER-nuh-det] feminine form of Bernard.

French visionary (1844–79). Born Marie Bernarde Soubirous in Lourdes, the daughter of a poor miller, she was considered sweet natured but backward as a child. In 1858, at the age of 14, she experienced the first of 18 visions of the Virgin Mary in a cave on the bank of the river Gave. Calling herself Mary of the Immaculate Conception, the vision continued to appear to her over a period of two months, both when she was alone and when she was accompanied by others, although only Bernadette could see her. For years the church authorities declined to take her claims seriously and she was the subject of much scorn. She entered the convent of the Sisters of Charity in Nevers in 1866 and remained there until her death at the age of 35, winning respect for her steadfast refusal to acknowledge her own growing fame. In due course the visions of Bernadette established Lourdes as a major centre of pilgrimage, renowned for miraculous cures.

Bernard (m)

[BER-nuhd] from Germanic, meaning ‘brave as a bear’.

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153), French abbot. Born into a noble family of Fontaines de Dijon in Burgundy, he became a monk in 1113, entering the newly founded Benedictine abbey of Cîteaux. Intelligent and charming by nature, he earned a reputation for piety and was noted as a preacher. On the strength of his growing reputation, he was sent with 12 other monks to found a new Cistercian monastery at Clairvaux in Champagne. He went on to oversee the foundation or reformation of 68 more subsidiary houses throughout Western Europe, providing the inspiration for a substantial spiritual revival. His many important writings included works on theology, sermons and letters. He is honoured today as the patron saint of cancer victims and also of Gibraltar.

Variants: Barnet, Bernhard, Bernie, Berny.

Feminine form: Bernadette.

Bernice (f)

[buhr-NEES] from Greek, meaning ‘victorious’.

The oldest of Herod Agrippa I’s daughters (born AD 28), she lived with her brother Herod Agrippa II. She was with her brother at the time of Paul’s defence of his faith (Acts 25:13).

Variants: Bernie, Berny.

Bertha (f)

[BER-thuh] from Old German, meaning ‘bright’.

Frankish princess and Queen of England (died c.603). She married Ethelbert, who was then not yet converted. She brought her bishop-chaplin Liudhard to court. Ethelbert was converted and welcomed St Augustine on his arrival in England in 597.

Variants: Berta, Bertie.

Bethany (f)

[BETH-uh-nee] from Hebrew, meaning ‘house of figs’.

The name of two places in the Gospels. The better known is three km east of Jerusalem where Jesus was based during the last week of his earthly life and where Lazarus, and his sisters Mary and Martha lived (Mark 14:3–9). The other is a place east of the Jordan where John baptised (John 1:28).

Variants: Beth, Bethan.

Beulah (f)

[BEW-luh] from Hebrew, meaning ‘married’.

A place name; symbolic name given to Israel, to refer to its future prosperous state. Instead of being ‘Forsaken’ and ‘Desolate’, Israel would be called ‘My Delight Is in Her [Hebrew, Hephzibah]’ and ‘Married [Hebrew, Beulah]’ (Isaiah 62:4).

Blaise (m)

[blayz] probably from Latin blaesus, meaning ‘lisping’.

Fourth-century Armenian bishop and martyr. Blaise (or Blase) is traditionally identified as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers who enjoyed cult status in certain parts of medieval Europe. Tradition claims that he was a bishop of Sebastea in Armenia, born into a wealthy Christian family, who died a martyr’s death during the reign of the Emperor Licinius.

Blane (m)

[blayn] probably from Gaelic bláán, meaning ‘yellow’.

Scottish bishop (late sixth century). Blane (or Blaan) was born on the island of Bute and studied for the priesthood in Ireland under St Comgall and St Canice before returning to Scotland. He founded a monastery at Dunblane (now the site of Dunblane Cathedral, where a bell alleged to be his is still preserved) and also performed missionary work among the Picts.

Variant: Blaine.

Boaz (m)

[BOH-az] from Hebrew, meaning ‘strength’.

A wealthy and kind man who married his widowed relative Ruth according to the custom of levirate marriage (Ruth 3–4). Their son Obed was an ancestor of David.

Boniface (m)

[bon-ee-FAS] from Latin, meaning ‘doer of good’.

Boniface of Crediton (c.680–754), English missionary and martyr. Born at or near Crediton in Devon, he was baptised Winfrith and was ordained a priest at the age of 30. Pursuing the quiet life of a monk at Exeter and then at Nursling near Southampton for many years, he earned a reputation as a scholar and won respect as a preacher. In 715, however, he decided to undertake missionary work in Germany, believing this was God’s will. Changing his name to Boniface, he received a papal commission from Pope Gregory II to evangelise in Germany and began his mission in Hesse in 718. Such was the success of his work that in 722 he was raised to the rank of bishop and given charge of all the German territories. The Pope also secured for him the protection of Charles Martel, leader of the Franks.

With this support Boniface won vast numbers of converts and effectively established the church in Germany, founding many monasteries as centres of education and evangelisation and staffing them with fellow-missionaries from England. He also did much to revive the church in France. He is honoured as the patron saint of brewers and tailors.

Boris (m)

[BO-ris] from Russian, meaning ‘fight’.

Both Russian martyrs (died 1015), Boris and his half-brother Gleb were sons of St Vladimir, the first Christian prince of Russia. After their father’s death their elder brother Svyatopolk decided to kill Boris and Gleb to forestall any challenge to his claim to the throne. Boris and Gleb met their deaths without attempting to resist, refusing to endanger the lives of their servants or to oppose their own flesh and blood. After their demise they were acclaimed as Christian martyrs and they are still revered in Russia and Ukraine.

Botolph (m)

[BO-tolf] uncertain origin.

Seventh-century saint; formerly chaplain to a convent, about 654 he established a monastery at Icanhoh identified either as Iken (Suffolk) or Boston (Lincolnshire).

Variants: Botolf, Botulf.

Brenda see Brendan.

Brendan (m)

[BREN-duhn] from Irish Bréanainn, from a Gaelic word meaning ‘prince’.

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)

[KAS-puh] from Dutch Jasper, perhaps ultimately from Persian, meaning ‘treasurer’.

One of the wise men (‘Magi’) who followed the leading of the star and came from the East to Jerusalem and then Bethlehem to worship the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1–12). According to tradition, they were three in number and they were named Balthasar, Casper and Melchior.

Variants: Caspar, Jasper.

Catherine, Katherine (f)

[KATH-rin] from Greek Aikaterina, of unknown origin. The name could be linked with the Greek word aikia, meaning ‘torture’ because of its association with Catherine of Alexandria (c.290–c.310), martyr of Alexandria. Legend has it that Catherine of Alexandria was born into a noble family of the city and converted to Christianity at the age of 18. Shortly afterwards she found that neither her high rank nor her beauty protected her when she publicly criticised the worship of pagan idols in front of the Emperor Maxentius. She managed to confound the arguments of 50 philosophers expressed against her on the orders of the emperor to point out the flaws in her Christian faith, upon which all 50 were burnt alive. Still refusing to recant her Christian belief and turning down an offer of marriage to the emperor on the grounds that she was already ‘the bride of Christ’, Catherine was thrown into prison, where she was given new strength by visions of Christ in her cell. When she was tortured upon a spiked wheel (from which the circular firework known as a catherine wheel takes its name) the wheel miraculously burst apart and several of her torturers were killed by the splinters.

Catherine’s courage inspired the conversion of 200 soldiers, who were promptly put to death for their temerity, before she herself was finally beheaded. Angels are said to have carried her body off to Mount Sinai, where a great monastery was subsequently named after her.

Today she is honoured as the patron saint of philosophers, preachers, potters, spinners, hospitals, librarians and young girls. Also the name of other saints, including Catherine of Bologna (1413–63), Italian abbess; Catherine of Genoa (1447–1510), Italian mystic; Catherine of Siena (1347–80), Italian mystic; Catherine of Sweden (1331–81), Swedish abbess; Catherine dei Ricci (1522–90), Italian mystic; Catherine Labouré (1806–76), French visionary.

Variants: Caitlin, Cath, Catharine, Cathy, Catriona, Kaitlyn, Kate, Katelyn, Katharine, Kathleen, Katie, Katy, Kay, Kit, Kitty.

Cecil male form of Cecilia.

Cecilia (f)

[suh-SEE-lee-uh] feminine of Latin name Caecilius, from Latin caecus, meaning ‘blind’.

Roman virgin martyr (dates unknown). The life of Cecilia (otherwise known as Cecelia or Celia) is a matter of legend. A devout Christian, she is said to have been forced to marry a non-Christian husband named Valerian. Telling him that she had a guardian angel and that he would be able to see the angel as well if he agreed to be baptised by Pope Urban I, she managed to persuade Valerian to convert and become as committed to her faith as she was herself. Valerian’s brother Tiburtius followed their example and also converted. A further legend claims that the two brothers were beheaded after trying to bury the bodies of Christian martyrs and that Cecilia herself was condemned to death for refusing to worship the gods. An attempt to suffocate her failed and when the executioner tried to behead her he missed his aim and she lingered for another three days, during which time she made arrangements to leave all her property to the church. She is honoured as the patron saint of music, musicians and poetry.

Variants: Celia, Cicely, Cissy.

Male form: Cecil.

Celestine (f)

[SEL-es-teen] ultimately from Latin caelestis, meaning ‘heavenly’.

Celestine I (died 432), Italian Pope. Born in Campania, he succeeded Boniface I as Pope in 422 and devoted most of his energy towards combatting heresies. He is said to have sent St Germanus of Auxerre to oppose Pelagianism in England and to have sent St Patrick as a missionary to Ireland (431).

Also Celestine V (c.1214–96), Italian Pope. Born into a peasant family of Abruzzi, Celestine V was previously known as Peter of Morrone and lived for many years as the head of a community of hermits on Monte Morrone. In 1294, when he was 80 years old, he became the surprise compromise choice for pope after the cardinals failed to agree on any other candidate. Peter of Morrone obediently took office as Celestine V but, despite his personal sanctity, proved unsuited to the position. He fell easy prey to the political machinations of King Charles II of Naples and after just five months despairingly resigned the papal office (becoming the only pope to leave the post voluntarily), to be replaced by Boniface VIII.

Variant: Celeste.

Chad (m)

[chad] from Old English name Ceadda, possibly from Celtic cad, meaning ‘battle’.

English bishop (died 672). Chad (or Ceadda) was born in Northumbria and was educated under St Aidan on Lindisfarne alongside his brother St Cedd. He succeeded Cedd as Abbot of Lastingham in Yorkshire before being appointed Bishop of York by King Oswiu of Northumberland’s son Alcfrith. He was subsequently removed from the post by Theodore of Canterbury in favour of the rival claim of St Wilfrid, who had been appointed to the same post by Oswiu himself. Chad’s dutiful acceptance of the demotion impressed Theodore sufficiently to persuade him to reinstate him some time afterwards, this time as first bishop of Mercia, based at Lichfield. During the remaining three years of his life, Chad continued to be true to his reputation for piety and humility and also founded a monastery in Lincolnshire.

Chantal (f)

[shahn-TAL] from Old Provençal cantal, meaning ‘stone’ and associated with French chant, meaning ‘song’.

Name given to honour St Jane Frances de Chantal.

Variant: Chantelle.

Charity (f)

[CHA-ri-tee] ultimately from Latin carus, meaning ‘dear’.

The name stands for the Christian quality of love, alongside Faith and Hope (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Variants: Charis, Charissa, Cherie, Cherry, Cheryl.

Charlene feminine form of Charles.

Charles (m)

[chahlz] from a Germanic word, meaning ‘man’.

Name of several saints: Charles of Sezze (1613–70), Italian mystic. Born John Charles Marchioni into a humble family in Sezze, Italy, he learnt a love of God from his grandmother but was prevented from entering the priesthood because of his lack of education. He chose instead the role of a Franciscan lay brother at Naziano, subsequently serving in various menial roles at monasteries near Rome. He became well known for his many mystical experiences, which he described in an autobiography, as well as for his simple holiness and was also respected for his wisdom, being consulted on spiritual matters by three popes.

Charles Borromeo (1538–84), Italian archbishop. Born into a wealthy family near Lake Maggiore, he was the nephew of Pope Pius IV and at the age of 22 was raised to the rank of cardinal and appointed administrator for the ruinous see of Milan before he had even been ordained a priest. Further senior posts quickly followed as the Pope’s favourite consolidated his reputation as a talented and tireless reformer. He played a prominent role in the final session of the reforming Council of Trent (1562), was made Bishop of Milan (1563) and became archbishop the following year.

Charles de Foucauld (1858–1916), French hermit. The Viscount Charles de Foucauld was born into a wealthy family and lived a dissolute youth as a soldier before turning to the church. He rejoined the church formally in 1886 and spent the next 10 years in Trappist houses. In 1897 he entered into the life of a hermit at Nazareth. He was ordained in 1901 and later resumed his hermit existence in the Algerian desert where he aimed to evangelise the desert tribes. Based at Tamanrasset in Algeria from 1905, he became well known in the region under the nickname ‘Little Brother Charles of Jesus’.

Charles Lwanga and Companions (died 1885–86). Martyrs of Uganda. The mentally unstable King Mwanga of Buganda launched a campaign of persecution against Christians in his country after Joseph Mkasa Balikuddembe, master of the royal pages and a Catholic, criticised the young king for his dissolute behaviour and specifically for the murder of the Anglican missionary bishop James Hannington in 1885. Balikuddembe was beheaded on the orders of the enraged king and replaced by Charles Lwanga, who was also a Christian. Some months later, when one of the pages refused the king’s sexual advances, Mwanga had Lwanga and all the other Christians among the royal pages arrested and condemned all 32 of them to death. They were duly burnt alive at Namugongo, wrapped in burning reed mats. Despite their youth, the victims of the massacre met their deaths with cheerfulness and with their faith in God intact.

Variants: Carl, Carlo, Carlos, Carol, Charley, Charlie, Chas, Chuck, Karl.

Feminine forms: Carleen, Carlene, Carol, Carole, Caroline, Charlene, Charlotte.

Charlotte feminine form of Charles.

Chloe (f)

[KLOH-ee] from Greek, meaning ‘green shoot’.

Chloe is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:11: members of her household (family or people) told Paul about what the church at Corinth was like.

Christian (m, f)

[KRIS-chuhn] from Latin Christianus.

First used as a nickname in the mainly Gentile church at Antioch in Syria, with the sense of ‘one who belongs to Christ’ (Acts 11:26). It occurs only three times in the New Testament: Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16.

Variant: Chris.

Feminine forms: Christiana, Christie, Christina, Kirsty,

Tina.

Christiana, Christie, Christina feminine forms of Christian.

Christine (f)

[KRIS-teen] from Old English Cristen, meaning ‘Christian’.

A martyr of the early church, probably in the fourth century. She was born in Bofena, Italy. At the age of puberty she rejected the advances of local nobles. Her pagan father then locked her with servants in a tower, putting in her cell valuable pagan idols, which Christine smashed to pieces after receiving an angelic vision: she then gave the valuable pieces to the poor. When her father discovered what happened, he handed her over to a judge who tortured her, trying to make her renounce her faith: she, however, remained firm even under even more severe forms of torture.

Variants: Chris, Chrissie, Chrissy, Christian, Christina, Kirsten, Kirsty, Kristen, Kristina, Tina.

Christopher (m)

[KRIS-tuh-fuh] from Greek Christophoros, meaning ‘carrying Christ’.

Martyr of Lycia (third century). Nothing is known of the life of St Christopher beyond the belief that he died a martyr’s death in Lycia (in modern Turkey) during the reign of the Emperor Decius around the middle of the third century. He was sentenced to be burnt to death but when this failed he was shot with arrows and beheaded.

The substance of the modern legend of Christopher was invented in the medieval period. According to this tradition, he was a great giant who vowed to serve the most powerful king on earth. He swore loyalty initially to a Christian ruler, but subsequently abandoned him to serve the Devil. When the Devil revealed his terror of Christ, Christopher determined to serve the latter instead. He was told by a hermit that Christ might be found on the other side of a particular river. When Christopher reached the river he agreed to carry across a child, only to find that the child – which became heavier and heavier – was Christ (proved when the child made Christopher’s staff sprout fruit and flowers). Subsequently he obeyed Christ’s command to defend the Christians in Lycia at a time of harsh persecution.

He converted all those who sought to capture him but was eventually put to death for refusing to sacrifice to the gods. Today he is honoured as the patron saint of travellers and motorists, who sometimes carry a medallion bearing his image as a good-luck charm.

Variants: Chris, Christie, Crystal, Kit.

Clare (f)

[clair] from Latin clarus, meaning ‘clear’ or ‘bright’.

From the name of two saints: Clare of Assisi (1193–1253), Italian founder of the Franciscan Poor Clares. Born into a noble family in Assisi, she was profoundly influenced when she was 18 by hearing St Francis of Assisi preach in 1212 and resolved to imitate his life of poverty and simple faith. In defiance of her family’s wishes, she ran away from home and, with the blessing of St Francis, joined a Benedictine convent, where ultimately she was joined by her mother and sister. At the invitation of St Francis, she founded a community of women who wished to live like Franciscan friars, calling them the Poor Clares and insisting upon the observance of absolute poverty. Members of the Poor Clares were expected to keep to the most rigorous of lifestyles, giving up their possessions, never eating meat, sleeping on the floor and rarely speaking.

Today she is honoured as the patron saint of the blind and also of television (a consequence of the legend that she witnessed a Christmas service by means of a vision when illness prevented her attending in person).

Also Clare of Montefalco (died 1308), Italian nun. Born at Montefalco in Italy, Clare of Montefalco (or Clare of the Cross) became a member of a community of Franciscan hermits who observed the rule of St Augustine. She was appointed abbess of the convent in 1291 and became widely known not only for her austere lifestyle but also as miracle worker.

Variants: Claire, Clara, Clare, Claribel, Clarice, Clarinda.

Masculine forms: Clarence, Sinclair.

Clarence masculine form of Clare.

Claude (m, f)

[clawd] from a Roman name, from Latin claudus, meaning ‘lame’ or ‘crippled’.

Claude La Colombière (1641–82), French Jesuit. Born in Saint-Symphorizen d’Orzen near Lyons, he became a member of the Jesuit Order at Avignon in 1659 and established a widespread reputation as a preacher, noted both for his articulacy and for his intelligence. He became head of the Paray-le-Monial College in 1675 and a leading supporter of St Margaret Mary Alocoque, but a year later was appointed chaplain to Mary of Modena, Duchess of York, in London and became a prominent figure among English Catholics.

In the Bible, Claudia (f) was a Christian woman in Rome, among those who sent greetings to Timothy via Paul (2 Timothy 4:21). Claudius (m) was the Roman emperor from AD 41 to 54 and he is mentioned in Acts 11:28;18:2.

Variant: Claud.

Feminine forms: Claudette, Claudia.

Claudette, Claudia feminine forms of Claude.

Clement (m)

[KLE-muhnt] from Latin clemens, meaning ‘mild’.

The name of several saints, including: Clement I (died c.100), Roman Pope. Little is known of the life of Clement I (or Clement of Rome) beyond the fact that he was the fourth bishop of Rome and ranks alongside the apostles as one of the fathers of the early church. He was the probable author of an important letter discussing unrest in the church of Corinth and may be the colleague mentioned by the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:3. Legend has it that he was lashed to an anchor and drowned on the orders of the Roman Emperor Trajan.

Also Clement of Alexandria (c.150–c.215), Greek theologian and Father of the Church. Probably born in Athens, he converted to Christianity and studied under Pantaenus in Alexandria, eventually succeeding Pantaenus as head of the celebrated school there around 190. He was forced to flee Alexandria during the persecutions of 202 under the Emperor Severus and moved to Caesarea in Cappadocia, where he was reunited with his old friend and pupil Bishop Alexander. He is honoured as the patron saint of lighthouses.

Variant: Clem.

Feminine form: Clementine.

Clementine feminine form of Clement.

Cleopas (m)

[KLEE-uh-puhs] shortened form of Greek Cleopatros, meaning ‘fame of the father’.

One of two disciples to whom Jesus appeared on the road to Emmaus on the evening of the first Easter day (Luke 24:13–32). The two friends were discussing Jesus’ crucifixion and death but they did not recognise that it was Jesus who was walking with them until he broke bread with them in their house.

Clotilda (f)

[kluh-TIL-duh] from a Germanic name derived from hloda, meaning ‘famous’ and hildi, meaning ‘battle’.

A Burgundian princess, Clotilde (or Clotilda) (c.474–545) was born in Lyons and in due course became the wife of Clovis, king of the Franks, in 491. The two appear to have enjoyed a strong and possibly loving marriage, the pagan Clovis respecting Clotilde’s Catholic faith and, in the face of her powerful arguments, even conceding to her demands that their infant sons be baptised as Christians. Clovis himself resisted his wife’s encouragement to become a Christian himself until 496 when the threat of defeat in battle persuaded him to turn to the Christian God for aid. Upon his subsequent victory he agreed to be baptised at Reims and gave his tacit approval to the evangelisation of the Frankish kingdom. This in turn led ultimately to the creation of the first Christian states in northern Europe. Clotilda is honoured today as the patron saint of adopted children, brides, exiles, queens, bereaved or abused parents and the parents of large families.

Colette (f)

[ko-LET] feminine of Nicholas, ultimately from the Greek name Nikolaos, meaning ‘victory of the people’.

French nun (1381–1447). Born Nicolette Boylet, Colette was the daughter of a carpenter of Calcye in Picardy and joined the Franciscan order on the death of her parents, when she was aged 17. She spent some eight years living as a hermit at Corbie Abbey in Picardy before claiming to have had a vision of St Francis, who commanded her to set about restoring the order of the Poor Clares to their original austerity. Colette accordingly emerged from her seclusion and set about her mission of reform. She set about renewing the community of the Poor Clares at Besançon in 1410 and over the next 30 years or so continued her work at 17 convents throughout Europe. She never flagged in her mission, praying daily for the conversion of sinners and securing many converts to her cause.

Columba (m)

[kuh-LUM-buh] from Latin, meaning ‘dove’.

Columba of Iona (c.521–597), Irish abbot and missionary. Columba (or Colmcille) was born in Donegal the descendant of two royal Celtic houses and was intended for the church from an early age. In due course he became a monk and spent some 15 years preaching and founding monasteries, including those at Derry and Durrow. He eventually fell out with Finnian over the issue of a transcript he had made of Finnian’s copy of St Jerome’s Psalter, which Finnian (with the support of King Diarmaid) claimed was rightfully his. Relations with Diarmaid worsened some time later when some of the king’s men killed a man seeking sanctuary with Columba.

Columba led members of his clan in a campaign against the king and won a bloody battle at Cooldrevne in which some 3000 warriors died. Through this victory Columba won back his Psalter, but perhaps it was his sense of guilt over the many deaths he had precipitated that persuaded him to go into self-imposed exile from his beloved homeland. Accordingly he and a small band of his relatives sailed to the island of Iona off the Scottish coast in 565. There he founded the famous monastery from which he launched various missionary expeditions into Pictish Scotland and northern England.

The community at Iona became Columba’s most enduring legacy, attracting students from all over Europe and becoming an important centre of religious learning and writing. Its founder never overcame his sense of loss at leaving Ireland, however, and his writings included poetry expressing his homesickness. Considered the central figure in Celtic Christianity, Columba is honoured today as the patron saint of Ireland, as well as of bookbinders and poets. See also Malcolm.

Feminine forms: Columbina, Columbine.

Columbina, Columbine feminine forms of Columba.

Connie feminine form of Constantine.

Conrad (m)

[KON-rad] from Germanic kuon, meaning ‘bold’ and rad, meaning ‘counsel’.

Conrad of Parzham (1818–94), Capuchin lay brother. Born into a peasant family of Parzham in Bavaria, he dedicated himself to a life of Franciscan simplicity as a Capuchin lay brother after the death of his parents in 1849. He took vows in 1852 and subsequently, as porter of the friary at the shrine of Mary at Alltotting, dedicated himself to the care of pilgrims there. Over the years he became widely known for his patient and charitable ways and also earned a reputation for prophecy.

Variants: Curt, Kurt.

Constance feminine form of Constantine.

Constantine (m)

[KON-stuhn-teen] from Latin constans, meaning ‘steadfast’.

From the name of Constantine the Great (c.285–337), the first Christian emperor of Rome and founder of Constantinople. He presided over the church’s first general council at Nicaea in 325. He moved his capital to Byzantium on the Bosporus in 330, renaming it Constantinople (now Istanbul). He was baptised on his deathbed.

Feminine forms: Connie, Constance.

Consuela (f)

[kon-SWE-luh] from Spanish, meaning ‘consolation’.

The name comes from one of the titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary: ‘Our Lady of Consolation’.

Cormac (m)

[KAW-mak] from Gaelic, meaning ‘charioteer’.

Irish abbot and bishop. He was also the king of Munster and a scholar: he is known for his famous Cashel Psalter. He died in battle in 908.

Cornelia feminine form of Cornelius.

Cornelius (m)

[kuh-NEE-lee-uhs] probably from Latin cornu, meaning ‘horn’.

A Roman centurion who became Peter’s first Gentile convert and on whom the Holy Spirit came as happened at Pentecost. The whole experience confirmed that the gospel was equally for Gentiles as well as for Jews (Acts 10–11).

Also the name of the Roman Pope (died 253). Nothing is known of the details of Cornelius’ early life before he succeeded Fabian as Pope in 251. He faced many challenges as head of a deeply divided church, of which perhaps the most important was the issue of the re-admittance to the church of the lapsed faithful. Cornelius, in opposition to his rival Novatian, favoured forgiveness of apostates and repentant sinners, providing they performed suitable penance. He is honoured as the patron saint of cattle and domestic livestock.

Feminine form: Cornelia.

Crispin (m)

[KRIS-pin] from Latin crispus, meaning ‘curly-headed’.

One of two Roman martyrs (died c.285). According to legend, Crispin and Crispinian were two Roman brothers of noble birth who brought the gospel to the region of Soissons in France, where they earned their living as shoemakers. Ultimately they were tortured and martyred for their faith. A local English tradition claims that they survived and subsequently settled in Faversham in Kent, which was formerly a site of pilgrimage on their account. Their names are most familiar to modern readers from their mention in the celebrated ‘St Crispin’s Day’ speech before the battle of Agincourt in William Shakespeare’s Henry V. Today they are honoured as the patron saints of shoemakers and leather workers.

Crispus (m)

[KRIS-puhs] from Latin, meaning ‘curly-headed’.

In the New Testament, the leader of the synagogue at Corinth (Acts 18:8) who became a Christian and was baptised together with all his household. He was one of the few converts to be baptised by Paul himself (1 Corinthians 1:14).

Cuthbert (m)

[KUTH-buht] from Old English cuth, meaning ‘famous’ and beorht, meaning ‘bright’.

English bishop (c.634–687). Cuthbert was born in Northumbria and brought up by a foster-mother after the death of his parents. He spent his youth as a shepherd and soldier before wearying of warfare and, after a vision, entering Melrose Abbey at the age of 15 and becoming a monk. Shortly afterwards he narrowly survived a plague that claimed many lives and prompted many Christians to revert to paganism. In response to this, he embarked on a lifetime of missionary work throughout northern England, tirelessly calling on the faithful to maintain their faith and taking the gospel as far as the Picts of northern Scotland.

He eventually became prior at Melrose but from 664 was based at Lindisfarne, acquired a gathering reputation as a worker of miracles and becoming known as the ‘Wonder Worker of Britain’, being credited with miraculous powers of prophecy and healing. In 676, however, he withdrew from the world and spent the next 10 years living as a hermit in a cell on the isolated Farne islands. In 684 he reluctantly gave up the solitary life when he was elected bishop of Hexham but almost immediately arranged to exchange this position for the see of Lindisfarne. Widely revered for his dedication, compassion and generosity towards his flock, he died on the Farne islands two years later. Today he is honoured as the patron saint of sailors.

Cyprian (m)

[SIP-ree-uhn] from Latin Cyprianus, meaning ‘of Cyprus’.

Bishop of Carthage (c.200–258). Born Thasius Cecilianus Cyprianus into a wealthy family of Carthage, he became a leading lawyer before converting to Christianity around 246, when he was in his forties. He gave away his wealth, took a vow of chastity and around 248 was elected Bishop of Carthage, though he was obliged to spend much of the rest of his life in hiding. Acknowledged as one of the early Fathers of the Church, he wrote extensively on the Scriptures and the church of his day. He is believed to have died a martyr’s death, being beheaded during the persecution instituted by Emperor Valerian after he refused to make sacrifice to the gods. He is honoured today as the patron saint of Algeria and North Africa.

Also Cyprian and Justina, two martyrs of Antioch (c.300). According to legend, Cyprian was a sorcerer of Antioch who attempted to win the love of the Christian maiden Justina through his magic. Depressed at his lack of success in this enterprise, Cyprian found himself attracted to the faith that his beloved professed and in due course was baptised himself and became a bishop, while Justina became an abbess. They were both martyred at Nicodemia.

Cyril (m)

[SI-ril] from Greek kyrios, meaning ‘lord’.

Cyril of Alexandria (c.376–444), Archbishop of Alexandria. Born in Alexandria in Egypt, he supported his uncle Theophilus of Alexandria in deposing St John Chrysostom and ultimately succeeded him as Archbishop of Alexandria in 412. Over the next 32 years he did much to defend the church there against the heresy of Nestorianism but also acquired a controversial reputation for stubbornness and volatility in his defence of the orthodox approach, closing churches that were disloyal to him and driving the Jews out of Alexandria. The mob lynching of the respected Neoplatonist philosopher Hypatia was a particular cause of resentment towards his rule. In 431 he presided over the Council of Ephesus, which formally condemned Nestorianism, and following this victory he showed a little more tolerance towards those who disagreed with his orthodox stance. His status as a Doctor of the Church reflects his undoubted importance as a theologian and scholar.

Also Cyril of Jerusalem (c.315–c.386), Bishop of Jerusalem. Born in or near Jerusalem, he became a priest around 346 and ultimately bishop of the city. A gentle man by nature, he faced sustained opposition from the supporters of the Arian heresy almost throughout his bishopric. He was forced into exile three times by the advocates of Arianism and in all spent some 16 of his 37 years as bishop absent from his see. In 381 he took part in the Council of Constantinople, which finally brought an end to the Arian heresy and ensured that the final years of his bishopric were relatively peaceful.

Also Cyril and Methodius, two Slav missionaries (828–809 and c.815–884). Cyril (born Constantine) and Methodius were two brothers born in Salonika who were ordained as priests in Thessalonica and later moved to Constantinople. Around 863 they were sent to Moravia to spread the gospel. Being speakers of the Slavic language they enjoyed great success but also incurred the enmity of rival German missionaries. Cyril died while the brothers were on a visit to Rome in 869. Methodius, meanwhile, was consecrated bishop by the pope, but on his return to Moravia was imprisoned at the will of hostile German bishops. He was released two years later and continued his missionary work until 879, when he was obliged to go to Rome to respond to the criticisms of his enemies. He was confirmed in the post of archbishop of Sirmium (Pannonia) and Moravia and on his return introduced the celebration of the liturgy in the Slavonic language.

Known as the ‘apostles of the Slavs’, the two brothers are remembered chiefly for compiling an early version of what became the Cyrillic alphabet and using it to translate the Bible, so establishing their claim to be the fathers of Slavonic literature. Today they are honoured, alongside St Benedict, as the patron saints of Europe.

Cyrus (m)

[SY-ruhs] from Persian Kurush, meaning ‘sun’ or ‘throne’.

King Cyrus the Great, a Persian emperor (549–530 BC) who is best known in the Bible for conquering Babylon and allowing the Jewish exiles to return home (Ezra 1:1–4). This latter policy is confirmed by the ‘Cyrus cylinder’, which shows that it was applied to many subject peoples.

Damaris (f)

[DAM-uh-ris] probably from Greek, meaning ‘calf’.

The name of a woman in Athens converted under the ministry of the apostle Paul (Acts 17:34). Since she is mentioned specifically, she may have been a woman of prominence.

Damian (m)

[DAME-ee-uhn] ultimately from Greek, meaning ‘to tame’.

Damian, Syrian martyr (died c.303). Little is known of his life beyond the tradition that he, with his twin brother Cosmas, was martyred for the faith at Cyrrhus in Syria. They became the focus of a cult from the fifth century onwards, the legend being embellished with such details as their performing numerous extraordinary miracles and being nicknamed ‘the Moneyless Ones’ because they never requested payment for their services. Today they are honoured as the patron saints of physicians, surgeons and barbers.

Also the name of the Belgian missionary Damien de Veuster (1840–89), who left his native Belgium in 1873 after volunteering to work in Hawaii, where an epidemic of leprosy had erupted some eight years before. Sometimes called Damien the Leper, he worked to improve the miserable conditions in which lepers lived in isolation, organising them into groups to do useful work in the community and generally improving facilities in the colony. He went to Hawaii with a sense that he too might die of the disease and in fact he finally contracted leprosy himself after 16 years’ tireless effort of helping lepers.

Variant: Damien.

Dan (m)

[dan] from Hebrew, meaning ‘judge’.

The name is now considered a diminutive form of Daniel but is sometimes used as a name in its own right. The fifth son of Jacob (Genesis 30:3–6). His mother was Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, and he is the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. When Jacob was dying, Jacob blessed his sons and he said Dan would ‘provide justice for his people’ (Genesis 49:16). One of his descendants was Samson, who was a judge (Judges 13).