The Christian ceremony of baptizing and giving a name to an infant, or more generally, the act of naming something for the first time.
From Old English 'cristnian' meaning 'to make Christian', derived from 'crist' (Christ). The naming aspect developed because baptism traditionally included giving the child their Christian name.
Ships are 'christened' by breaking champagne bottles on their hulls, borrowing from the religious ceremony to mark a vessel's symbolic 'birth' into service. This secular use shows how religious rituals often expand into other domains where blessing and naming new beginnings feels appropriate.
Religious christening historically excluded women as officiants and centered male inheritance/legitimacy. The ceremony reinforced patrilineal naming conventions.
Use freely for the ritual itself. In historical contexts, note that women had no authority in the ceremony and inherited identity through male lineage.
Women's role in christenings was passive; modern inclusive ceremonies increasingly center parental choice and gender-neutral naming.
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