Names matter and is one of the first things we learn to recognize as babies. Parents choose names based on meaning, family history, or current trends. Our names are important because they are the core of our identity, allowing our individuality to flourish.
Dana, peaked in popularity from the mid-50s, then became rare after the 70s. I seldom saw Dana on the racks of personalized key rings or tiny license plates while on vacation. It was equally annoying that the Romper Room lady didn’t say Dana through her magic mirror, even though I yelled at the TV, “I’m here, I’m here!” Later, I learned Dana means “a rare and beautiful pearl,” which gave me a new appreciation for its uniqueness.
Names matter to God. Sometimes He assigned them, like Adam, or told the parents what to call their child, like John the Baptist and Jesus. God even changed people’s names to represent a shift in their lives. For example, Abram and Sarai in Genesis 17. God promised them a child in their old age. When that promise came to pass, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations.” Sarai’s name changed to Sarah, meaning “mother of many nations.” God also told Abraham to name his son Isaac, which means “one who rejoices.”
We can know God by His many names, each exemplifying His nature. According to Dr. David Jeremiah, “…the Lord reveals Himself more personally through the names with which He introduces Himself in Scripture.” In Psalms 23, God is called Jehovah-Rohi—The Lord Is My Shepherd, meaning He leads and cares for us. To learn more about the many names of God and the meanings they represent, click this link to any article by Dr. Jeremiah.
Often we identify with negative names, like when we judge ourselves in the mirror or make a mistake. Derailing our negative thought patterns can take some work, especially if we have a history of harsh or judgmental words.
Let’s turn our focus on what God calls us:
- Beloved child (1 John 3:1)
- His treasure (Malachi 3:17)
- Chosen (Ephesians 1:4-6)
- His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)
- Made new (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Forever loved by grace (Romans 8:31-39)
Finally, I pray you live a life of confidence and realize your full potential as you personally experience Jesus through the glorious attributes of His names as described in Isaiah 9:6, “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
If you would like to research the meaning of names, I recommend baby names.com. It is easy to use without dodging a bunch of ads. Share what your name means to you, or the challenges you have faced in the comments below!
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