Rechristened

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Given a new name or title, especially to replace an old one
2. Renamed so as to have a different or updated designation
3. Assigned a different name, often to signify change or reidentification

Etymology: Rechristened is the past tense and past participle of "rechristen," a verb built from the prefix "re-" and "christen," meaning to give a person or thing a name, often in a religious setting. The prefix "re-" carries the sense of doing something again, so to rechristen is to name something a second time, usually with a new name that marks a change. The base word "christen" came into English through Old French from Latin, and the "re-" prefix followed the same route, ultimately tracing back to Latin "re-" with a meaning of back or again. Both parts were already established in English long before "rechristen" appeared, so the verb is a straightforward combination rather than a coinage with a dramatic backstory. The most surprising thing about the word is how little it has to hide: its meaning is simply the sum of its two parts, which is why it can be applied so freely to ships, streets, companies, and people who take on a new identity.

Synonyms: renamed, rebranded