What's in a name?

How much importance is, or should be, placed on the name of something? Historically, names seem to be very important. In the Bible, more often than not, people’s names were much more than just a title, they were symbolic. After his conversion, Saul became Paul, and Simon was Peter, the rock and foundation of the church. Moses got his name because he was taken “up from the waters.” Both Abraham and Sarah had their names changed, too, after they formed a covenant with God. Parents would also give their children symbolic names. Moses, Isaac, Samuel, and many other Bible babies were so named because of events surrounding their birth. The Puritans also gave their children names such as Patience, Love, Faith, or other virtuous titles.

In fiction, too, it is rare that a name does not have a deeper meaning or shed greater light on the character. Even in the poetic nonfiction Old Testament book of Hosea, the characters’ names have very symbolic meanings. Hosea’s children’s names literally mean “God sows,” “having obtained compassion,” and “not my people,” which are extremely meaningful in the context of the book. God uses their names, among other things, to communicate His message to His people. Hosea 2:23: “I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, and I will say to those who were not my people, ‘You are My people!’ And they will say, “You are my God!’”

In all of these examples, when the person was named or renamed, a new chapter of their life began and their new identity was determined. Saul was a persecutor of the Christians, Paul was one of their strongest members. Samuel, at birth, was named and dedicated to God by his mother, and proceeded to continue in that role as an adult. Abram was a moon-worshipper from Ur, Abraham became the father of God’s people, the Jewish Nation. The list goes on.

So, what is my point in writing all of this? I just think it’s interesting how much importance is placed on someone’s name. After all, a person is still the same person no matter what we call them, aren’t they? Or does a name carry more weight on who a person is, and who they will become? When parents give their babies a name, they are giving that little person an identity, telling the world who the child belongs to. Although humans are of course free beings and can make their own decisions, I wonder how much our circumstances affect our growth. In a way, perhaps when parents name their children, and also as they are raising them, they are determining who they are and who they may become.