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When is the last time a pope chose that name?

The iPadre Catholic Podcast Posted on by  
Papal names

Here’s a list of popes’ names and the last time each name was used, along with the year of that pope’s reign:

Papal NameLast UsedYearHow Long AgoNotes
AdrianAdrian VI1523502 years agoWidely skipped
AgapetusAgapetus II9551070 years agoWidely skipped
AlexanderAlexander VIII1691334 years agoSkipped
AnastasiusAnastasius IV1154871 years agoWidely skipped
BenedictBenedict XVI201312 years agoPossible
BonifaceBoniface IX1404621 years agoWidely skipped
CelestineCelestine V1294731 years agoVery unlikely (due to abdication association)
ClementClement XIV1774251 years agoSkipped
CorneliusCornelius2531772 years agoWidely skipped
DamasusDamasus II1048977 years agoWidely skipped
EugeneEugene IV1447578 years agoSkipped
FelixFelix IV (official)5301495 years agoWidely skipped
GregoryGregory XVI1846179 years agoPossible
HonoriusHonorius IV1287738 years agoVery unlikely (Honorius I controversy)
InnocentInnocent XIII1724301 years agoSkipped
JohnJohn XXIII196362 years agoPossible
JuliusJulius III1555470 years agoSkipped
LeoLeo XIII1903122 years agoPossible
LuciusLucius III1185840 years agoWidely skipped
MarcellusMarcellus II1555470 years agoSkipped
MarkMark3361689 years agoWidely skipped
MartinMartin V1431594 years agoSkipped
NicholasNicholas V1455570 years agoSkipped
PaschalPaschal II1118907 years agoWidely skipped
PaulPaul VI197847 years agoPossible
PiusPius XII195867 years agoPossible
SixtusSixtus V1590435 years agoSkipped
StephenStephen IX1058967 years agoWidely skipped
UrbanUrban VIII1644381 years agoSkipped
VictorVictor III1087938 years agoWidely skipped
ZacharyZachary7521273 years agoWidely skipped
FrancisFrancis (current)2013–In use
John PaulJohn Paul II200520 years agoPossible

Notes on Trends:

  • Traditional names likely to come back: Pius, Gregory, Leo, Paul, John.
  • Names avoided because of bad history: Honorius, Celestine, Marcellus (especially because of abdication or heresy scandals).
  • Rare names like Mark, Victor, Cornelius haven’t been used in over 1000 years.

New names are rare but possible, like Francis was in 2013.

Recent Names:

  • Francis — first ever use of “Francis.”
  • John Paul — Last used by John Paul II (died 2005); double name (unique in history).

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