Jorge Mario Bergoglio has chosen to call himself Pope Francis. It is the first time in the history of the papacy that a pontiff has chosen to take the name of the patron saint of the country, St. Francis of Assisi. But Francesco is also the most used name for children born in recent years (Istat data). It means "French, relating to France" (Dictionary reasoned of the names of Michele Francipane, Bur).
And what are the other names chosen by previous popes? A curiosity before listing them (and perhaps other than a hint for the baby on the way): the popes began to choose their name from 533 when Mercury changed his, considered too pagan, to John.
The name of the pope | How many times was he chosen |
John - meaning: gift or grace of God | 21 |
Benedict - meaning: who wishes good, who praises | 16 |
Gregorio - meaning: awake, alert, lively, active | 16 |
Clemente - meaning: indulgent, well disposed | 14 |
Innocent - meaning: without any fault | 13 |
Leo - the meaning is easily understood | 13 |
Pius - meaning: devout, who fulfills religious duties | 12 |
Stefano - meaning: crown, garland (of martyrdom) | 10 |
Bonifacio - meaning: that is good for you | 8 |
Urban - meaning: "of urban ways, polite" | 8 |
Alessandro - meaning: protector of men but also a man who is saved, who saves | 7 |
Adriano - meaning: coming from Atri or Adria | 6 |
Paolo - meaning: small in stature, modest, young | 6 |
Celestino - meaning: divine, came from heaven, dear to heaven | 5 |
Niccolò - meaning: winner of the people | 5 |
Sisto - meaning: sixth | 5 |
Anastasio - meaning: resurrection | 4 |
Eugenio - meaning: of noble birth | 4 |
Honorius - meaning: honorific office, honor | 4 |
Sergio - meaning: curator, guardian, administrator | 4 |
Consult the database of names of mymodernparents.com or talk about it in the forum with other mothers and future mothers
TAG:
- names from popes
- name choice
