Marg, Thank you for this question. I have a similar question concerning my Gt-Grandfather whose first and middle names were "Patrick Joseph." (North County Dublin) The best answer I could come up with I found on the blog of an Irish priest in England who was explaining how he was named "Patrick Joseph" through baptism and confirmation. Apparently, he was confirmed the week in March when the saint days for both Patrick and Joseph occur. His blog was not discussing genealogy yet he was explaining how he got his names. This makes sense. My Patrick's parents, as best we know, were named Patrick and Mary. I am not sure of her maiden name but I am thinking her first and middle names were "Mary Anne" or "Anne Mary" or something similar. Those names too sound like they come from the practice of being named after the saints. Tim from Milwaukee, Wisconsin On 11/21/12 10:51 AM, Margaret Cambridge wrote: > I am somewhat confused about Saints names and hope someone can clarify it for me. > > Are all Roman Catholic babies given a Saints name when baptised? I have families where many of the girls in the family have Mary for a first or middle name. Would Mary be their Saints name? Some of these girls are found as, for example; Mary Charlotte then later found as Charlotte. Likewise with boys in the family with Joseph as a first or middle name. > > I find it difficult to determine whether the first Mary died and another child was given the name Mary as the first may be Mary Charlotte and the second daughter Mary Teresa or Margaret Mary. > > Also, if they are not given a Saints name when baptised do they choose their own later at Confirmation? > > Not all my Roman Catholic families do this. One brother with 8 children all appearing to have a Saints name and another brother with 8 children who do not appear to have a Saints name. Would this just be a case of one brother being more devoted to the church than the other or ?? > > I would appreciate someone helping straighten out my thoughts on this. > > Marg > >From the Beautiful British Columbia Cariboo Region, Canada > ****************************** > Topic: A mailing list for anyone with a genealogical interest in County Dublin, Ireland and the City of Dublin. > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to IRL-DUBLIN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message