Why did Mozart have 5 names?

Mozart had several names throughout his life, but he was baptized as Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart on January 28, 1756, at St. Rupert’s Cathedral in Salzburg.

Mozart’s first two baptismal names, “Joannes Chrysostomus,” represent his saint’s name, following the custom of the Catholic Church. They result from his birthday, January 27, being the feast day of St. John Chrysostom.

The name “Wolfgang” was given to him in honor of his maternal grandfather, Wolfgang Nikolaus Pertl. “Amadeus,” meaning “love of God,” was added later by Mozart himself. He also went by the nicknames “Wolfgang Amadé” and “Wolfgang Gottlieb”.

Mozart was a child prodigy who began composing music at the age of five and was performing for royalty by the time he was six. From 1782 to 1785 Mozart mounted concerts with himself as a soloist, presenting three or four new piano concertos in each season.

Mozart also composed many symphonies, including the “Jupiter Symphony” (1788), and chamber music, such as the “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” (1787).