WHAT DOES YOUR NAME MEAN?
WHAT DOES YOUR NAME MEAN?
Have you ever been curious about the original meaning of your name? This is a fascinating subject to me, and I’ve thought about the matter occasionally. The more I think about it, the more I realize it’s actually a very important question we should be asking ourselves! First, think about your name for a moment…your entire name. Try saying it out loud a few times. Do you like the way it sounds? Does it fit you?
OUR NAME IS VERY SIGNIFICANT
Personally, I think we should seriously consider this question. I do believe each of our names says something very significant about our own uniqueness and individuality. Certainly, it’s something I believe God wants us to understand. Let’s consider then, for a moment, how each of our names can signify our identity—whether given, or as a last name. Very possibly, when our parents decided upon our name, they were very intentional. Or…you might be thinking, maybe not! Either way, though, I believe they ultimately chose names God uses to identify our gifts and callings. Thus, whether or not our parents ever recognized the reason for their choice, I think our names do reveal God’s destiny for our lives.
THE MEANING OF MY NAME
For example, Sandra Lynn Wiseman Smith is my full name. Firstly, ‘Sandra is short for ‘Alexandra’, and it means “helper or defender of mankind’. I prefer ‘Sandy’ though, a nickname I picked up in high school. Secondly, ‘Lynn’, which many parents commonly used in the 50’s, means “pretty”. Thirdly, my maiden name, ‘Wiseman’, likely refers to an ancestor who was well-known for his wisdom. Lastly, ‘Smith’ is a general term for an artisan or skilled craftsman. I have to laugh at myself at this point — even though I always wanted a fancier name, I’m finally happy with these!
INSIGHT BRINGS UNDERSTANDING
Consequently, I truly appreciate each of my names because I believe they do describe my identity perfectly. Do you likewise feel the same way about yours? Now after this short discussion, I hope you’ll be inspired to research your own name. You may be surprised at the insight you’ll gain regarding your unique purpose and gifts. Truly, when we consider that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17), we can approach the information with humility and gratitude. We will then understand God wants to reveal our destiny even through our names!
UNIQUE TO A GENERATION
Interestingly, if we pay attention to trends, I can most definitely date myself as a Baby Boomer with a name like Sandra. Do you typically know a Cathy, a Susan, a Linda, a Karen, or a Sheila? (Of course, my twin and baby sister fit into that group!) If so, they are likely your mothers’ and grandmothers’ names. Even Christy, Jessica, Caitlyn, Amber, Kayla, and Ashley now speak of an older generation. Perhaps you think your name is simply too commonplace. Or maybe you’d prefer to be called by something else? (Be careful, lol!) I do hope, though, you’re content with the name you’ve been given. I believe it’s very important that we recognize the great significance God places on our names. They can easily be the very first words God speaks over our lives!
