converties

Converties is the feminine plural form of the French noun convertie, meaning a person who has converted, typically to Christianity or another religion. In English-language writing, the corresponding term is usually converts; the form converties appears mainly in French-language texts and in translations. The term can also appear in Dutch or Afrikaans contexts where related forms exist, though it is uncommon in English usage.

In religious studies, conversion refers to a change of religious identity or belief. The terms convertie or converties are used in historical or biographical writing to describe individuals who embraced a different faith, often following catechesis, baptism, or missionary activity. Such accounts illuminate social networks, personal identity, and the spread of religious movements.

Social and legal aspects vary by context. Some communities treat conversion as a personal decision with private rites, while others include formal initiation ceremonies. Gender can influence experiences of conversion, with converties sometimes navigating expectations related to family, community, and religious leadership. The use of the term may reflect linguistic or cultural framing rather than a distinct institutional category.

See also: religious conversion; converts; baptism; proselytism.