Lately, a certain member of my family has been extremely cranky. He’s been rude and loud and angry … a lot. Now, it could be that he’s two. And two year olds operate a little differently than other ages. But the meanness and the crankiness has got to stop. Two or ten, it isn’t allowed. I had something gnawing at me about his name lately… and I couldn’t remember for sure what Mark meant so I looked it up again. I was thinking it meant war-like or something which right now was all too fitting… As it turns out, in some places, Mark simply means “Warring.” Awesome huh? In some it only translates into things related to the planet Mars or the god of Mars such as “From Mars” or “Red like Mars” or “of the War-god from Mars.” The one I like the best says that his name means “Warring, polite and shinning.” That is the one I’m going to claim for him. I believe that he can and will be a warrior. But I also think he can be polite and shinning. The cranky crank monster has got to go. And I do know that he’s two. And usually, we are aware that the second half of the year is worse behavior wise, as they get closer and closer to the birthday… but buddy, I’m about to pull my hair out with the meanness. It’s got to stop. So, Mr. Warrior… I’d like you to be a kind brother please. ...I like the shinning part of the meaning. Shining. Ooo shining. It makes me smile to say it. I wonder what about Mark will be shining. His personality already is. I wonder what else. Hopefully his conscious, if we can get past the warring, will be. I need to teach my little buddy to be a polite shining warrior instead of a warring meany.
Do you ever think about what your child’s name means? Does it fit nicely like a glove? Or is it comical? (My dad’s name is comical… Paul means small) Is it true? Could it some day be true? Do you pray that they’ll grow into their names? Or have you ever given it any thought at all. This is just something that I’ve been thinking about lately. Back “in the day” there was a lot of thought given to names. In biblical times, the meaning of your name told your story. I’m thinking specifically of Naomi and Ruth here. Naomi means pleasant. She wanted to change her own name to Mara which means bitter be/c she was so bitter about her circumstances but only she referred to herself as Mara. God did not. He continued to call her Naomi. And Ruth… Ruth, her daughter-in-law, her friend, her only family… Ruth means “Companion, friendship.” Oh isn’t that neat?! Doesn’t it just give you chills to know that God, the Author and perfecter of our Faith knows our names. Even in the womb He knew us and called us by name? (Ps. 139) Doesn’t that just make you feel loved!?
Micah’s name means “who is like God.” This could mean many different things. There are many attributes to God and of God’s character. Henry means “Ruler of the Home.” I see this going many different ways as well. Already, he rules my home. My day is set about based on his nursing schedule. We’ve also given him the nickname of Bear and isn’t that the truth. He’s the loudest of the bunch and he’s still so small. Hopefully he’ll grow into a Teddy Bear and not be a Grizzly Bear.
Matthew means “God’s gift” and that he is. He is my sweet gift, my first born, my first son. Christopher means “Christ bearer” and how I will pray that this name will be truth. I pray that he will grow in the Lord and bear Christ. I pray that he will truly learn to love and know the Lord and know Christ as his personal Savior and proclaim the truth. What a powerful and wonderful name he has. I am so thankful for my gift from the Lord.
Mark’s first name I’ve discussed, but his middle name, Edward, means “wealthy guardian, protector.” Now isn’t that cool? My little warrior is also a protector to be. And hopefully a guardian over wealth. I can pray that he doesn’t become a squander-er but a guardian.
Besides your children’s names… do you ever think about your own name? I do. Especially my middle name. As it means bitter. And so often I am. I try not to be. But I hold grudges awful. And I’m bitter and broken about a lot in my life. I wonder how much is because of the name given to me? Perhaps learning this meaning can help me to remove some bitterness in my life, to free myself from it. I can hope so. I am praying about it. Katherine means pure. I love this. I think it’s a very special and pretty meaning for my first name. It’s funny together “pure” and “bitter” but it’s who I am.
I really had some fun with this and continued to look up names of loved ones… Here’s a list I’ve compiled.
Nancy—gracious
Paul—small
Krystle—clear, brilliant glass
Marie—bitter sea
Brian—strong one
Jamie—supplanter
Thelma—ambitious
Ray—wise protector
Mildred—mild strength
Len—like a lion
Sandy—helper of humanity
Chuck—manly, farmer
Kimberly—ruler
Rick—powerful, rich
Deb—honey bee
Dan—God is my judge
Esther—star
Nicole—victory of the people
John—God is gracious, merciful
Jonathan—Gift of God
Allison—of Noble Birth
Anna—gracious
Lee—Sheltered from storm
I love how my mom’s name means gracious and how her middle name, Janette, means God is gracious. I wonder if my grandparents knew. I know I’m grateful for her. And she is such a gracious person. Doubly fitting.
I find my dad’s name comical.
I see my grandpa… both grandpas names as truth in their names.
I’ve really enjoyed this little quest I’ve been on for a couple days.
Signed…
Pure and Bitter
Mother to
God’s gift and
Warring, Polite, Shinning and
Who is like God.
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