When Wayne and I saw a popular cult-classic film on tv recently starring Bruce Willis and a host of others, we heehawed when Bruce Willis said, “Hey, I’m American. Our names don’t mean squat.” His foreign girlfriend was trying to wring some meaning out of who he was.
His comment was, well, just so American.
The popular song by America, “A Horse with No Name,” has been criticized and even banned at one time in Kansas City for referring to drug use. I have no idea what the writer meant by the words. Still I like the song; it has an enchanting and mystical quality.
And the lyrics are very interesting. “In the desert you can remember your name, ‘cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain…”
I see a glimmer of redemption in this pop song. In the deserts of life—the tough places you have to walk alone without comfort—you get to know your name. You understand who are, and who you are not.
Maybe “names don’t mean squat” to Americans in modern times, but they did at one time. That’s why you see gravestones throughout New England with names like “Prudence,” “Hope,” and “Faith.” Our forefathers chose names that attached inspirational goals of positive character qualities for their children.
My name means beautiful or good. I never saw myself this way, and I doubt if my parents thought of the meaning when they gave it to me. But in time, I grew interested in the meaning; and I embraced it when I became beautiful and good through the eyes of someone else.
Old fashioned or not, I believe names still mean something and are very important to who we are.
What’s the meaning of your name? I would love to hear your name stories.
Art by Yoram Raanan
Bonnie Saul Wilks 
My name is Wayne. I was once told it means “wagon” and can be applied to one who carries burdens.
Yes, dear, and you are a “burden bearer.”
ha this is ur daughter writing….u guys crack me up…i love ur stories ma!!!
they are awesome…see u soon
love ya
Sarah in hebrew means princess.
I have always pictured princesses to be spoiled.
Dresses in pink & lace. All frilly & what not.
Its not something I have ever seen myself to be.
that is, until recently.
there has been a shift in my thinking.
Rather than focusing on what a princess DOES…
how she acts & what not…
The focus has moved to WHO she IS.
She is a DAUGHTER of the KING.
And THAT is me.
i AM a daughter of the King!
Jeremy means “the Lord exalts” – but exalts doesnt always mean promoted in the sense of lifted up. It also has the sense of having character tested and proven. Also, exalt can mean to stimulate or intensify. The idea of God stimulating me with His emotions towards me, intensifying (like a color getting brighter) me before Him, proving and testing me as if by fire-
I like my name!
Sarah, Thanks for your comment on your name. I love the name Sarah, and the meaning suits you!
Jeremy, Your name suits you. And you have already experienced the Lord exalting you!
Tara–Gaelic for “rocky crag or high pinnacle”…refers to strength I suppose…..I used to hate it as a young girl because people couldn’t pronounce or spell it correctly unless they were “Gone With the Wind” fans. Now, however, it’s become more popular. I’ll never forget when I first began seeing “Tara” on mugs, keychains, etc…how exciting THAT was 🙂 My name reminds me that the Lord is my Strong Tower….I look to Him for my strength, and to lift me up higher than the turmoil of the world.
Darice–Persian for “Queenly”. I am part of the royal priesthood….I gave this as a middle name to my oldest daughter as well.
My mother saw my first and middle names in a newspaper once while pregnant with me, and decided to claim them 🙂
Thanks for sharing, Tara. I have always loved your name. Your mother was very prophetic.
I love this blog. In high school I had to reasearch my name for an assignment and since then I began to notice that people with the same name had similar personality traits. It’s proven to be very useful at times when meeting new people.
My name means – watchful, helper of mankind, wise, guarded, protected by God.
Thanks for sharing about your name, Cas. I wondered what your name meant. Your parents named you well!
New to your blogs and loving them! I just had to respond to this one – not with the meaning of my own name – but with my husband’s. The television/movie’s negative portrayal of the name “Otis”, coupled with the drunken and slovenly relatives for whom he was named – helped fuel self-rejection in Otis. But the Lord helped me find an antique name book with both of his names – and the change in my husband when he learned the meanings – would convince any skeptic! Instantly, Otis knew that God had named him. His countenance lifted, and his life took on new meaning and purpose. “Otis” means “keen of hearing – one with discernment”, and his middle name, “Finley”, means “short, stocky, fair-haired soldier” (for everyone who has not met Otis – this is an exact description of him)! How absolutely wonderful God is!
Ruth, thanks for sharing the story about Otis’ name! What a beautiful name story! It blessed me this morning as I read. We love you guys.
Many times I have been called “Ginger” from Gilligan’s Island, Ginger-snap, and even “Nutmeg”. When I take my animals to the vet I have to carefully stress that MY name is Ginger, not my dog. For years I had to live with the meaning of the name Ginger which is “the dried root of an Indian plant”. In my later years it was spoken to me that I was the “spice of life” and that a little ginger changes the flavor of the whole dish. I liked that. But the neatest thing of all was just in the last several months. The Lord showed me that my name really did suit me perfectly. You see, I am a “bottom line person” who likes to get at the root of issues. So, naturally my name would mean “a root”. I thought that was cool!
Hi,
I just came across this site. I really enjoyed what you had to say …all of you.
Names are very important I think. I have been struggling with what to call our new collie puppy. Right now we call her Abby because It means the Father’s joy or giver of joy and she does that!! : ) but another dog in her litter is also called Abbie so we were thing of the name Ginger ( I loved what you said Ginger) She is that color …a sable collie and she is peppy at play but very sweet at rest. So I am praying about it.
My name, Loy, is a different name and I haven’t found a meaning to it yet. maybe someone can help. I feel like Otis did because the Lord hasn’t shown me yet.
Hebrew Meaning – Diminutive of Elisabeth or Elizabeth, from Elisheba, meaning either oath of God, or God is satisfaction. Also a diminutive of Bethia (daughter or worshipper of God).
Origin – Hebrew
What is funny is that my Mother didn’t like the name Bettye but used it because she couldn’t think of anything else to go with Darlyne, which is my middle name. My family calls me Darlyne everyone else calls me Bettye. I’m somewhat like Abraham, Israel and Paul in that their names were also changed.
My middle name is Etole which was my mother’s first name. It is French for the word “star.” Perhaps because my first and last name are so common, I savor having such an unusual middle name even though few people can pronounce it correctly.
Ben: Hebrew- Son of
Frank: Free Man
I AM my fathers son. Some may think me too independent and open minded, but I think that My Heavenly Father is ok with it. 🙂
My sur name (first,middle and last) amount to fearless, divine, gift of God.
Adding that to my married name,
fearless, divine, gift of god (meets) reconciliation.
I’m amazed.