Godchild
/ˈɡɑdˌtʃaɪld/noun
A child for whom a godparent serves as sponsor at baptism.
Did you know?In medieval Christianity, being a godchild created a real spiritual kinship called compadrazgo in some traditions, making the relationship socially and religiously powerful, not just ceremonial.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
gōd cild
“literally “good child” or “god child” in early compounds, with the first element still context-dependent in older usage”
Middle English
ME
godes child
“a child under the spiritual care of a godparent”
Late Old English / Middle English
English
godchild
“a child sponsored at baptism by a godparent”
Modern English
English
godchild
“a child for whom a godparent acts as sponsor at baptism”