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What’s in a Name?
by Rebekah King
I’ve been thinking a lot about names lately.
What’s in a name? Well, the answers run deep
in many directions. On the surface, we all
recognize names of American heritage such
as Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison.
Einstein and Edison along with Van Gogh,
Matisse and Monet who color our world.
Culture sings of Sinatra, Elton, Swift, Eminem,
and Adele while names like Julia, Jennifer and
Johnny Depp, Cooper, Phoenix, Hanks and De
Niro shine as stars. We recall the royal names
across the ocean in Elizabeth and Charles,
William and Harry along with the two women
navigating motherhood under the eyes of the
world with the names of Kate and Meghan. Our
own “royals” include names such as Kennedy,
Rockefeller, Walton, and Bush.
From the earliest days of mankind, families
have chosen to preserve their heritage, memories
and stories in the names given to their children.
And the first question I ask in celebrating the
arrival of a new baby—What's the baby’s name?
There is nothing like learning the name of a new
baby! For 2019, Mom365.com compiled a list of
top 100 names beginning with Emma, Olivia,
Ava, Isabella, Sophia, Mia, Amelia, Charlotte,
Abigail, and Emily for girls. Liam, Noah, Elijah,
Logan, Mason, James, Aiden, Ethan, Lucas,
and Jacob for boys. Any of those names bring a
smile? A memory? A favorite person?
As names run through
my head, heart and
remember–er they bring
smiles, tears, and faces to
match. So many names,
so many meanings, so
many stories swirl within
this great big, small world.
Remembering the heritage
of my sons Jon, Ben, Nic,
Mat, and Wes—who also
answer to “whoever you
are!”—names were chosen
from both family and
biblical lineage in combining favorites from each.
My first Jonathan Peter was named “Peter”
after his Papa, my dad, the father of 3 daughters.
What pride and joy this choosing brought
to my dad! Of Greek origin, “Peter” means
“Rock,” remembers Apostle Peter and testifies
of strength. Choosing “Jonathan” from the
humble Prince destined to become King of
Israel who ultimately became best friends with
the one called David chosen to be King—wow
what a story! Meaning “Yahweh has given,”
Jonathan remains my gift of God, my prince,
my introduction into motherhood and the
beginning of the brotherhood.
Benjamin Brian meaning “Son of my Right
Hand,” reminds of the Son seated on the right
hand of the Father. The twelfth and youngest
son of Jacob and founder of one of the twelve
tribes, Benjamin was first named “Benoni”
meaning “Son of my Sorrow” as his mom Rachel
died following a difficult childbirth. Renamed
Benjamin by his father, the new name denotes
strength. As does my son’s middle name “Brian”
which draws from the old Celtic name meaning
“hill” resulting in “high” or “noble;” from Irish
origin meaning “strong.” Sharing the name
Benjamin with one of the five King brothers
from Virginia, Ben is my strong, silent type.
Strong in body, soul, and mind, my Benjamin is
a rock who stands strong in any storm.
Nicolas David Miller, yes, I thought he was
my last, so four names were given to number
three in line. Drawing from the humble servant
leader of Acts 6 who was chosen to minister
to the neglected widows and orphans of the
early church, the name encompasses true
manhood! In his humility, Nicolas became a
champion of the people. Of Greek origin, the
name means “Victor of the People,” think Nike
= Victory! "David," a namesake of his paternal
grandfather, means “Beloved.” As Rachel before,
I too struggled in childbirth until Dr. J saved
the day! Thus the name “Miller,” adopted from
my doctor was added. Of English roots, Miller
means “grinder of grain,”and remembers the gift
of life in the nourishing name. My victorious,
beloved son full of life, Nicolas is my sunshine!
Matthew Eisenhower. Yes, you read
that right Eisenhower. For the longest time
Matthew put a “d” on the end thinking it was
“Eisenhoward.” Ha! But hey he gets extra high
fives for trying—imagine learning to write
this name in Kindergarten! Yes, I’m a distant
cousin of Eisenhower, so for my 4th son—why
not?!? With an endless legacy of serving in WWI,
becoming the Supreme Allied Commander in
WWII, the 16th Chief of Staff, the 13th President
of Columbia University to becoming the 34th
President of the United States—Eisenhower
rocks! Of interest, Eisenhower approved the
establishment of NASA in 1958, which led to the
Space Race. Celebrating the 50th anniversary
of man walking on the moon, we smile in 2019
and seek new horizons! One day Matthew may
actually realize, “I like Ike!” Meaning “Gift of
Yahweh” with Hebrew origins, Matthew is
known as a disciple of Christ, a tax collector and
non-fiction author included in the best seller of
all time. My Matthew; my laughter; my gift from
God. He truly is my delightful M.E.S!
Wesley Andrew, the baby in the bunch, yet
the biggest in his mind, carries a name of English
heritage meaning of the “western meadow.” To
honor the founder of Methodism John Wesley
and his famous brother Charles, parents have
named their little boys "Wesley" for generations.
Such heritage continued with the King brothers
from Virginia with one being named John
Wesley King, 1768–1868. Celebrating 100 years
of life, John Wesley traveled the country as a
circuit riding Methodist minister on horseback.
In remembering a good man, the name Wesley
was born. Of Greek origin meaning “Manly,
Masculine” and known as the first disciple and
brother of Peter, the name “Andrew” became
the top choice of the older brothers. My
Wesley Andrew, an outdoorsy, no nonsense,
independent, manly man is aptly named. Go
get ‘em, Wes!
To its core, the essence of a name, becomes
your very own identity to the world. Interestingly
in America, we women travel a complicated
name journey unknown to men and to other
parts of the world such as Italy, Greece and
China. For around the first 20-30 years of our
life, we are known and called by our birth name.
In time, we meet the supposed “love of our life”
and join two lives into one name as we embrace
a new heritage, a new family, a new name. Along
come the children, one, two, maybe another,
then another all bearing the father’s name.
As life unfolds, sometimes “the fairytale”
ends unraveling our identity all over again. In
North Carolina, residents are required to wait a
full year and a day before they can legally regain
their birth name. Many times, the wait extends
into years. All too fresh in my mind, I remember
the transition wherein I eagerly counted the
days to reclaim my name. For over a year, the
request was simply, “Call me Rebekah.” Kind of
rings a bell with the first line of Moby Dick, “Call
me Ishmael.” While Ishmael narrates the story,
Captain Ahab faces the biggest challenge of his
life! As I overcame my greatest challenge, happy
was the day that returned my name, my identity,
my “this is me” moment!
What’s in a name? Proverbs says, “A good
name is rather to be chosen
than great riches.” As for
reclaiming your good
name? The journey is full of
ups and downs and detours
yet the effort worthwhile as
you realize the gift of new
beginnings in discovering
a brand new you! Truly a
good name is chosen over
great riches any day! And
a bad name? Well, that’s a
whole ‘nother story!
As we enter the holiday season requiring lists
of names, names and more names, we celebrate
the One whose name “shall be called Wonderful,
Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace.” How sweet is that
name! May we always surround ourselves with
names who bring peace! Peace my friends.
Yours truly.
“A good
name is
rather to
be chosen
than great
riches.”
So many
names,
so many
meanings,
so many
stories
swirl ...
No. 136 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. p.3
/Mom365.com
/foreveryoungsouthernpines.com
