What is in a Name? - Baby Names

What is in a Name? - Baby Names

Throughout the Bible, names were given to children with much thought or expression. The name given was always for a reason. Never lightly or because of the “way it sounds”. To name something is to describe something, to give direction or a feeling to understand. God gave the name Abraham to Abram to describe what he was going to do in his life. Abraham means father of nations. Now when God called him that, and when people spoke it from then on, it was not a name that needed interpretation. It would be the same as for us today, if we called our son “Father of Nations”, instead of Abraham. And it was the same for all the bible names. When they called for “Josiah”, it would be like us calling for “Fire of the Lord”.

Now days many people, name their children without much thought. Often only naming the child just what sounds good. That amounts to no more than a “combination of grunts” that sound pleasing to the ear, that when spoken means “Hey you” come here.

Many other people go to a lot of work to find names that have good meanings for their children. That is good, but what good is it if those well meaning words of blessing are never spoken over them? Many children ask and are told about the meaning of their name once in a while if they are blessed that much. Compared to the child who is named that meaning (Praise, Promise, Blessing, Faith, Hope) who hears the meaning of their name everyday, several times over.

We think the Puritans had the right idea in naming children, for the most part. They had many good names like the ones in the list below. Many names in this list, and other lists like it, have recently inspired us. You never know one of these maybe the next name we choose.

Be-courteous
Be-faithful
Be-thankful
Faint-not
Fear-not
Fear-the-Lord
Freegift
From-above
God-reward
Hate-evil
Hope-for
Hope-still
Joy-again
Learn-wisdom
Make-peace
Much-mercy
Praise-God
Safe-deliverance
Safe-on-high
Seek-wisdom
Sin-deny
Stand-fast-on-high
The-Lord-is-near
The-peace-of-God
Vision-of-God
Weep-not
What-God-will

Names are declarations spoken over the person, of what you want to see in their life. If you do not believe that just look at the tons of research on the effects of verbal abuse. Call a child stupid often enough they will begin to believe it or spend their lives trying to prove it isn’t true. Why would we not think the same would work in the positive?

When naming our children we have always sought God in prayer. Getting his help is a must. In fact as with anything in life it is where we should start. We would save our selves much trouble if we would just go to him first. He has helped guide us with all of our kids names.