Q&A for How to Choose a Confirmation Name

No. You can choose a male saint if you are female or a female saint if you are male.

Yes, this is permitted. Likewise, boys may choose a feminine name. It's important to be aware that some cultures and leaders will value and respect this practice more than others. As always, the choice of a Confirmation name should be considered prudently and prayerfully.

A Confirmation name is different than the name your parents have given you. It's a saint's name. So if you're trying to adopt a Confirmation name on your spiritual journey, yes, you will need to choose another name.

You may also use the name of a Bible hero, but a saint is the typical choice as they may intervene and pray for you.

No, choosing a confirmation saint is choosing a saint for guidance during your life.

Well, St. Francis of Assisi enjoyed a life of partying with his friends, before experiencing the call to serve Christ. St. Maria Goretti was only a little girl, who loved to play with her friends, before she was murdered.

No, it has to be an actual saint who is venerated by the Catholic Church. To simply make up a "saint's name," would be like making up a historical person.

Yes.

You only may have one.

No.

Certainly not. Many confirmed in the same class can have the same confirmation name.

Pretty much every saint was dedicated, hardworking, and caring, so with those criteria you could choose almost any saint.

Yes, of course. Many people choose a saint they feel connected to or want to be like. If you like St. Joseph, go ahead! Just be sure to do research on the other saints to see if there's one with whom you feel more of a connection.

I don’t believe so, but ask your priest. You might be able to pick more than one.

There is a Venerable Father Patrick Peyton, so you could choose him (if your parish allows venerables and blesseds as confirmation saints).

Yes, you can. You can, for example, choose bl Laura Vicuna, bl Chiara Badano Luce, and many more.

Yes. She is the Mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

St Francis is a common one for animals. For service, there are a lot of saints! You can choose Mama Mary (who visited St Elizabeth) or a saint who was very charitable (like Mother Teresa). Pray on it.

Yes! If the Saint is one of the Apostles (St Peter, St Paul, St Andrew...) or a saint who brings the Gospel to a new land and people (St Cyril, St Methodius, St Mark...).

That is! One saint is Saint Gemma Galgani, an Italian mystic. You should read about her and see that she is a saint you personally feel connected to.

Although she is the patron saint of the French, I think Joan of Arc would be a perfect saint for you to choose.

St. Anne is the saint of equestrians. You could also use Joan of Arc as she rode often.

That wouldn't make much sense to do. For example: Laura Marie Marie LastName. Try to find a Saint you truly admire for specific reasons.

A saint you admire for how they lived their faith. For example, St. Joan of Arc was courageous in the face of real life dangers.

Lucy, whose name means 'light', is the patron saint of the blind. Lucy was born in 283 AD in Syracuse, Sicily, and was killed there in 303 AD during Roman persecution under the Emperor Diocletian.

Not the actual process of getting confirmed, no. However, people tend to dress fancier for their confirmation and may celebrate with food, which does cost a little.

Yes, Saint Jason (also known as Apostle Jason) is one of the Seventy Apostles.

Yes, it is, although she is also referred to as Saint Etheldreda. She is the patron saint of throat ailments.

It is more important that you enhance your relationship with God. The Church is the bride of Christ, and you serve Christ before you serve the Church, though both are important.

No. You choose a Saint when you are confirmed, and they become your confirmation name. I chose Saint Dymphna because she is the patroness of mental illnesses and neurodevelopmental disorders and I have both. So, look for Saints that have patronages over things you connect with well.