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.

The 56th pope, John II, who ruled the Catholic Church in the sixth century, 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 currently 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.

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