What does rechristen mean?
Rechristen means to christen, baptize, or formally name something again. The word can describe a second Christian baptism or conversion, but it is also used more broadly for giving a church, ship, or other institution a new name or identity. In contemporary writing, the verb often carries a sense of renewal: the original history may remain significant, but a new designation or dedication marks a new beginning. Its literal religious sense is still recognized, though the modern expression “rechristen” more often means to rename or rededicate something that already has an established identity. The word combines the prefix re-, meaning again, with christen, meaning to give a Christian name through baptism.
verbTo christen someone or something again, especially by giving them a new Christian name or by formally naming or rededicating them. It can also mean to convert anew to Christianity.
- To give someone or something a new Christian name, especially as part of a second baptism or rededication.
- To convert someone anew to Christianity.
- To rename or formally rededicate something, especially a church or ship.
"The ceremony was intended to rechristen the historic vessel with a new name and identity."
"They rechristened the ship before beginning its next voyage."
"After a period away from the faith, he chose to be rechristened."
To rechristen is to give something a new name while preserving the memory of its former identity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of rechristen
Rechristen is formed from the prefix re-, meaning again, and christen, from Old English cristnian, which was derived from the name Christ. The older religious sense developed from the practice of baptism and the giving of a Christian name. Later, the verb was extended figuratively to naming or dedicating something anew.
Related word forms
How rechristen is actually used
Rechristen is relatively formal and literary. In modern usage it most often describes giving a new name or identity to something that already has one, while its older religious sense refers to baptism or conversion again.
Easily confused with rechristen
Christen means to give someone a Christian name, especially at baptism, whereas rechristen means to christen someone or something again or to give it a new name or identity.