átkeresztés

Átkeresztés, a Hungarian term, translates to "renaming" or "christening" in English. It most commonly refers to the act of changing a person's given name, often for religious reasons, but can also encompass the secular process of adopting a new name. Historically, in the context of Christianity, átkeresztelés would occur when an individual converted to Christianity and received a new name as part of their baptismal ceremony. This practice symbolized a new life and spiritual identity within the faith.

Beyond religious conversions, átkeresztelés can describe the legal process of changing one's name. This might be done for various personal reasons, such as disliking one's birth name, adopting a spouse's surname, or seeking a name that better reflects one's identity. The legal procedures for átkeresztelés vary by jurisdiction, often requiring formal applications and approvals. In some cases, it can also refer to the renaming of places, streets, or institutions, though this usage is less frequent than the personal name change context. The term emphasizes the deliberate act of bestowing a new appellation upon something or someone.