It is believed that the saint whose name is chosen will serve as a special patron to protect and guide and will be the heavenly intercessor for the individual who bears his or her name.
For example, in the Bible, Saul became Paul after he accepted faith in Jesus.
[1] The custom was popular in France and Germany during the Middle Ages and is still customary in continental Europe.
Under the current Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church, Canon 855 states, "Parents, sponsors and parish priests are to take care that a name is not given which is foreign to Christian sentiment",[3] which would simply prohibit a baptismal name being something in the vein of "Satan", "Lucifer", or "Death".
[4] However, that was not always the case; in the 1917 Code of Canon Law, Canon 761 required pastors to ensure the baptismal name was a Christian name such as "Christian", "Grace", or "Faith".