Middle Name
William Branham's legal name, according to his 1940 draft card for the United States Defense Security Service, is "William Marvin Branham".[1] This government document is the only official document yet identified containing the full spelling of William Branham's middle name, which differs from the name used in some versions of William Branham's stage persona. On most government documents, William Branham's name is listed as simply, "William M. Branham". As early as March of 1963, William Branham began claiming that his full name was "William Marrion Branham".
William Branham's legal name, according to his 1940 draft card for the United States Defense Security Service, is "William Marvin Branham".[1] This government document is the only official document yet identified containing the full spelling of William Branham's middle name, which differs from the name used in some versions of William Branham's stage persona. On most government documents, William Branham's name is listed as simply, "William M. Branham". As early as March of 1963, William Branham began claiming that his full name was "William Marrion Branham".
There is many Branhams, if you want to talk about me personally, but I’m—I’m the one William Marrion Branham. That—that’s me. But there’s many other William Branhams, and so forth, around. Branham, William. 1963, March 24. Questions And Answers On The Seals
According to his daughter, Sarah Branham, William Branham's son "Billy Paul" signed documents as "William Paul Branham, Jr", suggesting that Rev. William Branham's middle name was Paul, with the full name of "William Paul Branham, Sr." Sarah's statement is confirmed by Billy Paul's signature on the Articles of Incorporation for the William Branham Evangelistic Association.[2] According to newspaper articles, when Rev. William Branham was leading the satellite branch of the Pentecostal Baptist Church of God sect at Milltown, Indiana,[3] he went by the name, William P. Branham".[4] Rev. Branham continued to use the middle initial "P" as late as November of 1951.[5]
Only God knows all the facts, but after I saw the document dated the 26th day of October, 1965, I began to wonder even more. Just imagine while my father was still alive, my Brother appeared before a Notary Public as William Branham transferring the William Branham Evangelistic Association into another corporation. The document is in my possession. He signed it as William Branham Jr. It was registered on Nov. 4, 1965 at 3:45 p.m. with the 'Arizona Corporation Commission.'[6]
- Sarah Branham, Take It With You
In current literature produced by Branham's cult headquarters, Voice of God Recordings, the name used by later versions of William Branham's stage persona is continued. The central figure of the "Message" cult is known as "William Marrion Branham".