Papal names range from the totally normal (Paul, Alexander) to the wild and extravagant (ever met a Telesphorus?). Popes traditionally choose a new regnal name upon election — one of a saint or that of a previous pope. However, this hasn’t always been the case. The 56th pope, John II, was the first to not use his given name. It was Mercurius, after Mercury — a pagan god. Ever since, most popes have gone by a new name.
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Along with John and Alexander, other papal names in the US Top 250 include Adrian, Felix, Leo, Marcus, Nicholas, Theodore, Victor, and Zachary. The most common name among popes is John, which has been used 23 times, followed by Benedict and Gregory at 16 each.
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The selection of Pope Francis I has added a new name to the list of papal names, which began in the year 32 with St. Peter. Pope Francis is the first pope to choose a unique regnal name since Pope Lando in the year 913. Here are some other names of popes that are still usable today — many of them worn by multiple bearers.

Papal Names

Adrian

Alexander

Benedict

Boniface

Caius

Clement

Cletus

Constantine

Cornelius

Damasus

Dionysius

Eugene

Fabian

Felix

Francis

Gregory

Hilary

Honorius

Innocent

John

Julius

Lando

Laurence

Linus

Lucius

Marcellus

Marcus

Marinus

Mark

Martin

Nicholas

Paschal

Paul

Pelagius

Peter

Pius

Romanus

Sergius

Sixtus

Stephen

Sylvester

Theodore

Urban

Ursinus

Valentine

Victor

Zachary

Zephyrinus

Papal pope Christian names, including Alexander, Lando, and Felix, including names of popes throughout history with meanings, origins, and current popularity. (All Names)

Papal Names - All Names