Christeners

/ˈkrɪsənərz/ noun

Definition

People who perform the Christian ceremony of baptism or christening to give a child a Christian name and welcome them into the church.

Etymology

From Old English 'cristnian' (to make Christian) + '-er' (one who does) + '-s' (plural). The practice originated with Christian baptism ceremonies in medieval Europe, where naming and religious initiation were combined.

Kelly Says

Most people think christening is just about naming, but historically it was a legal act—christening records in parish registers were literally how people proved they existed before modern birth certificates!

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