christen
christen — verb
- christenpresent simple I / you / we / they
- christenshe / she / it
- christenedpast simple
- christening-ing form
1. to name a baby or convert in a church baptism that marks the person's entry into
to name a baby or convert in a church baptism that marks the person's entry into the Christian faith
The priest christened baby Jude during the Sunday service at Saint Mary's.
christen + person during a church service
Rachel and Tariq christened their daughter before the whole church.
After months of classes, the pastor christened Gabriela at Easter Mass.
adult convert in a baptism setting
The bishop christened Christopher with water as his grandparents watched.
- christen a baby
- christen a child
- christen at baptism
Grammar Patterns
christen + baby/person
christen + person + during/at + service
Usage Note
Used in Christian contexts, often for babies but also for adult converts. Unlike sense 4, this sense includes the baptism ceremony itself.
Common Mistakes
2. to call someone by a new name because people notice a particular quality or habi
to call someone by a new name because people notice a particular quality or habit in them
Because Rohan never hurried, the team christened him Slow Train.
christen + person + nickname
At school, classmates christened Kasia Compass for her perfect sense of direction.
The paper christened Tariq Mr. Fix-It after his sixth rescue goal.
media nickname based on a trait
Her brothers christened Adina Professor because she corrected every quiz answer.
- christen someone Tiger
- christen someone after a habit
- christen someone with a nickname
Grammar Patterns
christen + person + nickname
christen + person + for/because + trait
Usage Note
The added name is usually a descriptive nickname, and the reason often follows with 'because' or 'for'.
Common Mistakes
3. to give a new object its first real use, especially on an occasion that feels im
to give a new object its first real use, especially on an occasion that feels important
The mayor christened the new library computer with a search for local history.
christen + object with its first use
Joon christened his hiking boots on a steep trail near Hualien.
Indra christened the kitchen knife by slicing mangoes for dessert.
christen + object by + first action
The crew christened the rescue drone during a practice flight over the harbor.
- christen new boots
- christen a camera
- christen a tool
- break in
informal and common for clothes, shoes, or tools
- inaugurate
more formal and often used for systems, buildings, or events
- try out
emphasizes testing rather than a symbolic first use
Grammar Patterns
christen + object + with + first use
christen + object + by + doing something
Usage Note
Often slightly playful, especially when the object is new and the first use feels special.
Common Mistakes
4. to choose and give an official or memorable name to a person, animal, place, obj
to choose and give an official or memorable name to a person, animal, place, object, or project
The family christened their son Leo after his great-grandfather.
christen + person + name
Engineers christened the project Aurora before the first public meeting.
The town christened the bridge Harmony Gate after the flood.
christen + thing + chosen name
Her aunt christened the puppy Maple when it chewed a red leaf.
- christen a child
- christen the project
- christen the bridge
Grammar Patterns
christen + person/thing + name
christen + thing + after + person/event
Usage Note
Broader than sense 1 and not tied to church ritual. It is used for children, pets, places, objects, and projects.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- christeningnounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
For sense 1, 'christen' often points to the naming within a Christian baptism, while 'baptize' is the broader religious term. For sense 4, 'name' is the neutral everyday verb. 'Dub' is more journalistic or playful, especially in sense 2 when someone receives a descriptive nickname.
Etymology
First known use
12th century
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a