Pope Names: The Definitive Guide to the History of Papal Naming, Why Popes Choose the Names They Do, and What Name the Next Pope Will Choose

by Jimmy Akin

For a thousand years men have taken a new name when they become pope.

Today the choice of name is the very first decision a new pope makes, before his election is even announced to the public.

How has this practice changed over time? What mysterious reasons drive the selection of names? And what name will the next pope choose?

In this groundbreaking study, researcher Jimmy Akin tackles these subjects and provides the definitive history of papal naming, including explanations by recent popes in their own words for the names they chose!

He also looks at newly discovered patterns in the selection of pope names.

Then he peers into the future, drawing on the history of papal naming to determine the odds of what name the next pope will choose.

The work has extensive bonus materials, including a concise lise of notable facts about the popes and their names, a complete list of 265 popes (from St. Peter to Pope Benedict XVI), a list of the 81 names that popes have used, information about the impact the sinister antipopes have had on the history of papal names, and more!

Here is what best-selling author Steve Ray has to say about this unprecedented, one-of-a-kind

"Leave it to Jimmy Akin to come up with an intriguing new book that should have been written long ago. This short, easy-to-read and insightful book tackles this puzzling Why do popes choose the names they do and what do they mean? He even steps out on the proverbial limb to predict the name of the next pope, but not without reasons and clules. Like all of Akin's works, this book is thoroughly researched, interesting to read, and full of useful information on the history of the papacy" --Steve Ray, author of "Upon this Peter and the Primacy of Rome in Scripture and the Early Church."

For information about the history--and the future--of pope names, there is no substitute for "Pope The Definitive Guide to the History of Papal Naming, Why Popes Choose the Names They Do, and What Name the Next Pope Will Choose."

Genres: Catholic

94 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Jimmy Akin (b. 1965) was born in Texas, grew up nominally Protestant, but at age 20 experienced a profound conversion to Christ. Planning on becoming a Protestant pastor or seminary professor, he started an intensive study of the Bible. But the more he immersed himself in Scripture the more he found to support the Catholic faith. Eventually, he was compelled in conscience to enter the Catholic Church, which he did in 1992. His conversion story, "A Triumph and a Tragedy," is published in Surprised by Truth. Besides being an author, Jimmy is a Senior Apologist at Catholic Answers, a contributing editor to This Rock magazine, and a weekly guest on "Catholic Answers Live."

Reviews

[Jason Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this very short, but fascinating, treatment of papal names shortly before the election of Pope Francis. This book is unlikely to appeal to anyone who isn't interested in the details of Church history or the curiosities associated with the papacy. For those who are interested, however, it is a delightful little book. In fact, I would have given it 5 stars, but when assigning probabilities to the various names the next pope might choose, Akin dismisses the possibility of a name being chosen that is prominent in Church history but never before used by a pope. Since the new Holy Father did just that, Jimmy loses one star!

[Naomi Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you geek out with utter joy at obscure statistics? Does your heart beat faster at graphs and charts? Is your idea of a good time Trivia Night WITHOUT a good brew? Then scoop up this inexpensive book for $3, and find out how to wow 'em at the watercooler with EVERYTHING you could ever want to know about the naming patterns in the Papacy. I read this book during a long commute in a single day, and I expect I will refer to it again. Be sure to get it BEFORE the conclave ends, so you can sound very knowledgeable and prescient.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a well researched and well written book, I love his prediction for the next people's name. However I thought it pus have been longer and he could have delved into the history a bit more rather than just the numbers.

[Jeremy Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and very timely! Loved it! Must-read for Catholics preparing for the papal conclave.

[Ange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun quick read on probabilities and statistics is of papal names, and a guess at the new name.

[Peterphu]

Good book