Shakespeare contended that it would smell just as sweet. Anne of Green Gables and I disagree. Names, and the meaning of names, are important.
The bulk of fantasy literature has keyed in on the fact that knowing someone, or something's, name gives you power. That can be the power to no longer be afraid of it, or the power to control it, for good or for ill. Other literature uses the meaning of names to describe and cement the personality of certain characters. For example, Ichabod means "Thy glory has departed" - how fitting, then, is the name of Ichabod Crane. Would the story be nearly as rich without that extra insight?
Outside of literature, we (as humans) have used names to not only identify who we are, but whose we are and what we do (and often even where we live). Surnames, in particular, started out as descriptive identifiers - do you make barrels for a living? You're likely a Cooper. Sew clothes? Tailor (or Taylor). Blacksmith? Smith. Or perhaps you're Duncan McCloud, of the clan McCloud (etc.) Even today, in the Middle East, names are long and encompass not only your identifying name, but your father's name, your grandfather's name, your village, and so forth. Other cultures also incorporate family history into a long line of names. This identification - and the meaning behind the identification - stretches far beyond the simple answer to the question of "what do I call you?"
Beyond that, and more importantly even, names in the Bible are often given specifically for their meanings. And it's this, more than anything else, that convinces me that names are critical and naming someone should never be taken lightly.
We can start at the very beginning and see that Adam and Eve's first task in the garden was to name the animals. Not only did this help them distinguish between them during their conversations (you know it had to be easier than trying to find one and point to it) but I think it helped to solidify their dominion over the animals as given by God.
When God confirmed His covenant with Abram and Sarai, not only did He institute the ritual of circumcision, He changed their names. Abram became Abraham, changing from "Exalted father"(Abram) to "Father of many" (Abraham). Their son, born in their golden years, was named Isaac, which means "laughter", because that was their response when told that, despite being old and crusty, they would in fact have a child of their flesh.
Continue on and see Joseph (God will increase) and his brothers, including the favorite youngest son, Benjamin (Son of my Right Hand.) Ruth (Friend) chose to stay with her mother-in-law out of friendship and duty. Moses understood the importance of names. When God asked him to go and free the Israelites, he knew that he would need to be able to tell them the name of the God of their fathers, and God responded with part of His name, "I Am Who I Am."
The names of God, in and of themselves, give credence to the idea that names reflect character. As just a smattering, you have these:
- Adonai-Jehovah -- The Lord our Sovereign
- El-Elyon -- The Lord Most High
- El-Olam -- The Everlasting God
- El-Shaddai -- The God Who is Sufficient for the Needs of His People
- Jehovah-Elohim -- The Eternal Creator
- Jehovah-Jireh -- The Lord our Provider
- Jehovah-Nissi -- The Lord our Banner
- Jehovah-Ropheka -- The Lord our Healer
- Jehovah-Shalom -- The Lord our Peace
- Jehovah-Tsidkenu -- The Lord our Righteousness
- Jehovah-Mekaddishkem -- The Lord our Sanctifier
- Jehovah-Sabaoth -- The Lord of Hosts
- Jehovah-Shammah -- The Lord is Present
- Jehovah-Rohi -- The Lord our Shepherd
- Jehovah-Hoseenu -- The Lord our Maker
- Jehovah-Eloheenu -- The Lord our God
Turn to the New Testament and you still see the importance of names. Saul became Paul when he stopped persecuting the church. Peter (means "rock") was the rock upon which Christ's church was built. Barnabas ("Son of Consolation, Encourager") was a great encouragement to Paul. And so on, and so forth.
I firmly believe that as a parent, you have an opportunity to shape your child's character through their name. As such, it's important to take that seriously. You can choose to downplay the meaning of a name, but I see that as a missed opportunity to shape your child's heart.
At Chalfont House we definitely agree with these thoughts. In fact, that's why we published the book "Acrostic Name Blessings" which talks about the importance of a name and helps people create a blessing out of the letters of any name.
