1. Home
  2. Topics

Papal Names

Papal names range from the totally normal (Paul, Alexander) to the wild and extravagant (ever met a Telesphorus?). Popes traditionally choose a new regnal name upon election — one of a saint or that of a previous pope. However, this hasn’t always been the case. The 56th pope, John II, was the first to not use his given name. It was Mercurius, after Mercury — a pagan god. Ever since, most popes have gone by a new name.

Along with John and Alexander, other papal names in the US Top 250 include Adrian, Felix, Leo, Marcus, Nicholas, Theodore, Victor, and Zachary. The most common name among popes is John, which has been used 23 times, followed by Benedict and Gregory at 16 each.

The selection of Pope Francis I has added a new name to the list of papal names, which began in the year 32 with St. Peter. Pope Francis is the first pope to choose a unique regnal name since Pope Lando in the year 913. Here are some other names of popes that are still usable today — many of them worn by multiple bearers.

Luck Number: 6
14315
Luck Number: 9
0
Alexander

Meaning: defending men

Origin:Greek
42
Nicholas

Meaning: people of victory

Origin:Greek
124
Theodore

Meaning: gift of God

Origin:Greek
3
Felix

Meaning: happy, fortunate

Origin:Latin
6
Peter

Meaning: rock

Origin:Greek
107
Paul

Meaning: small

Origin:Latin
265
John

Meaning: God is gracious

Origin:Hebrew
299