Christian naming readings

01 Where naming readings appear

Christian naming readings appear in three principal contexts:

1. The Orthodox Naming on the Eighth Day: the principal liturgical naming rite in Christian tradition. Celebrated traditionally on the eighth day after birth, normally at home or briefly at the church. Luke 2:21 is the foundational reading.
2. The naming integrated with baptism: in Catholic, Anglican, and most Protestant practice, the name is given liturgically at the baptism rite. The readings of baptism (see /readings/baptism/) carry the naming as well as the sacramental act.
3. Confirmation naming: in Catholic and some Anglican Confirmation practice, the candidate chooses a Confirmation name (a saint's name) at the rite. The Confirmation lectionary covers the readings (see /readings/confirmation/); the name itself is presented at the rite without a separately appointed reading.

This page focuses on the scriptural tradition on naming as such (the divine naming narratives and the theology of names) rather than the rite-specific readings, which appear in their own /readings/ entries.

02 The principal readings

Eight scripture passages cover the principal readings used at Christian naming observances and inscribed on name-related gifts and cards.

03 The Orthodox Naming on the Eighth Day

The Orthodox Church preserves a distinct liturgical rite for the naming of a child, traditionally celebrated on the eighth day after birth (parallel to the Jewish circumcision on the eighth day; the Christian rite recalls Luke 2:21, "at the end of eight days he was called Jesus"). The rite is brief and may be celebrated at home, at a small church gathering, or as part of the preparations for baptism.

The structure of the rite:

• The priest blesses the family and asks the name chosen for the child
• The parents announce the name; the priest receives it
• The priest reads or chants Luke 2:21 (Jesus' naming) and prays a blessing on the child by name
• The patron saint is named (the saint after whom the child is being named); the saint's feast day is announced to the family as the child's name day
• A brief Trisagion or short prayer concludes the rite

The Naming on the Eighth Day is theologically distinct from baptism (baptism follows, typically about a month later, after the mother's 40-day churching). The name day, once announced at this rite, is observed annually in the Orthodox tradition as the celebrant's principal patronal feast.

The Christian naming guide covers the rite and the surrounding tradition in fuller depth.

04 Common questions

05 Pastoral note