Question
Do Catholics still have to choose a "confirmation name" when they are confirmed as teenagers?
--Nervous in Nils
Answer
No. Here is some history, courtesy of Reverend Paul Turner that traces the history of the confirmation name:
The synodal statutes (3:3) of John of Liège (1287) say this: 'The priests should teach that during confirmation, the bishop may change the name of those being confirmed.'
The Council of Aix in Gaul (1585), under "The Sacrament of Confirmation," says this:
The bishop and the pastor should take care that those who have a ridiculous and disgraceful name should change it, and receive in this sacrament another name which flowers with true praise of piety and holy religion, so that they may imitate the same name which they bear, and by which they may deserve to be helped with prayers before God.
The choice of a name remained in the Roman Rite until the Second Vatican Council revised confirmation. The new name fell out of the ritual just as "the slap" did. Many communities have accepted removal of "the slap," but not the "new custom" of repeating the baptismal name. It is a time to "confirm" the name used at baptism.