Saintly names for baby girls

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Written by Mary Fetzer

The beautiful names of Catholic saints reflect the great stories behind each of these women. Their parents never knew they were destined for spiritual greatness.

It was not so long ago that priests refused to baptize babies who did not bear a saintly name. We’ve compiled a list of just a few of these virtuous names for your baby girl.

Agatha, the pure virgin, was tortured and killed for her chastity and beliefs. Feast: February 5
Agnes was just 12 years old when Roman soldiers beat her to death for refusing to pray to a false god. Feast: January 21
Angela, friend of girls, founded the Ursuline Sisters in Italy. Feast: May 31
Ann was the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the grandmother of Jesus. Feast: July 26
Barbara was ordered to death by her own father for her Christian beliefs. Feast: December 4
Bernadette of Lourdes was visited several times by the Blessed Mother and eventually became a nun. Feast: April 16

Spiritual baby names: An expression of the soul

Bridgid of Ireland was the first Irish nun and built convents, schools and hospitals. She became the Patroness of the Green Isle. Feast: February 1
Catherine of Alexandria was beheaded at age 18 for insisting the emperor stop attacking Christians. Her body was carried by angels to Mount Sinai, where a church and convent were later built in Catherine’s honor. Feast: November 25
Clare the Franciscan founded the Poor Clares and was credited for saving Assisi from a great army of pagans. Feast: August 12
Clotilde, Queen of France, was the wife of Clovis the Great. She converted him to Christianity, and he became the first Catholic king of France. Feast: June 3
Colette, the Franciscan, helped bishops and cardinals determine a true Pope among imposters. Feast: March 6

Virtuous baby names: A new trend

Dorothy was the daughter of two martyrs who converted many of her persecutors to Christianity. Feast: February 6
Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born Catholic to be canonized a saint, founded the Sisters of Charity, which was the first religious society in America.
Frances of Rome became destitute after her wealthy family was destroyed by the country’s enemies. She accepted her fate and established a new order of nuns.
Genevieve, Patroness of Paris, protected Parisians from their enemies and became an adviser to King Clovis of France. Feast: January 3
Gertrude the Abbess was oft visited by Jesus and his Blessed Mother. They told her of the way to heaven, and Saint Gertrude recorded these things in books so others could know, too. Feast: November 15

Shakespearean baby names for girls

Jane lost many loved ones throughout her life. After she was widowed, she founded the Visitation Order of Sisters, to pray, do penance and teach children to love and serve God. Feast: August 21
Joan of Arc, was a girl who led France to victory over England. She crowned the king in his own palace but was soon captured by her enemies, who burned her at the stake. Feast: May 30
Julia of North Africa was bought by a rich merchant to be his slave. She was later captured by a Roman who nailed her to a cross where she died a martyr for Christianity. Feast: May 23
Lucy was turned over to Roman judges by the man she refused to marry. Soldiers threw her into a raging fire, but the flames did not hurt her pure body. So they plunged a sword into her heart. Feast: December 13
Mary of Egypt, because of her sins, was physically unable to enter a church in Jerusalem where the Cross of the Lord was hung. She fled to the dessert, where she prayed, did penance for her sins and died. Feast: April 9

Old-fashioned baby names

Margaret Mary loved Jesus so much that He appeared to her and showed her His Sacred Heart. She brought many to love Him and is the Saint of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Feast: October 17
Martha was the sister of Mary Magdalene and Lazarus, whom Jesus loved. She was present on Calvary when He died, helped prepare Jesus’ body for burial and saw Him after he rose on Easter Sunday. Feast: July 29
Matilda spent her childhood in a monastery where she learned piety. She married the German king and became his queen. She spent her days and nights praying for and helping others to embrace Christianity. Feast: March 14
Rita lost her husband to his enemies. Her sons vowed revenge and Rita prayed that God would take their lives before they could commit mortal sin. They did die, in a state of grace, and Rita became an Augustinian nun and worked many miracles. Feast: May 22
Rose of Viterbo spoke of the Lord as soon as she was old enough to talk and at age 10 defended the Pope against wicked men. She became a nun as a child and died at age 18. Feast: September 4

Ancient baby girl names

Scholastica the Benedictine was the beloved sister of the first holy monk, Saint Benedict. As her brother built monasteries, she built convents. Feast: February 10
Teresa the Carmelite was the Holy Mother of the Carmelite Sisters. She spent her life praying for the souls of the “wicked and those who hate God.” Feast day: October 15
Ursula, a great teacher of Christianity, escaped the pagan armies of England only to be killed in France by the Huns. Her students were killed along with her for refusing to give up Christ and the Catholic faith. Faith: October 21
Veronica was moved with pity as Jesus carried his Cross amid His persecutors. She lovingly wiped Jesus’ face with her own veil, and His likeness remained on the veil. Feast: July 9
Zita was a hard-working servant of a wealthy family who attended Mass daily and taught others to be good like her. Zita lived to a very old age, and when she died, a bright star appeared over the room where she had slept. Feast: April 27