“I<scp>n the</scp> N<scp>ame of the</scp> (G<scp>od</scp>)F<scp>ather</scp>”: Baptismal Naming in Early Colonial Guatemala

Abstract This article examines baptismal naming in sixteenth-century Guatemala the context of Indigenous adaptation to sociopolitical upheavals Spanish-led invasion, forced resettlement, and imposition Catholicism. As part institution baptism—the first Catholic sacrament one that missionaries implemented soon after their arrival Spanish Americas—Indigenous baptizees received a European name, as well spiritual kin form godparents. The distribution names late sixteenth- early seventeenth-century Santiago Atitlán, predominantly Tz'utujil Maya community highland Guatemala, suggests christening marked break with precolonial onomastic practice. Instead continuing tradition children according birthdate, adults Atitlán area developed new strategies simultaneously located administrative sphere reconstituted local social networks wake colonial disruptions. Furthermore, influence godparents on name selection both expressed reinforced godparenthood's rising significance most socially salient society remains vibrant into present.