When I was expecting Jackson, Curtis and I had a long list of baby girl names and a very, very short list of baby boy names. So short, in fact, that there was only one name on it. “Jackson” was literally the only name we agreed on. The name game is hard when you’ve worked with students because you have associations with just about every name you can come up with. And with one of the most common last names in America, we seemed to already know of someone named “Every-single-name-we-liked Jones.”
I didn’t expect naming our son to be that hard. After all, ever since college I’d planned that if I had a son, he’d be named Levi. (One of my BFF’s in college babysat a little Levi and he was the cutest thing I’d ever seen.) This was my plan right up until we actually had the chance to name a little boy. That was when Curtis enlightened me that Levi Jones sounded a lot like Levi Jeans. Noooooooo! It had never once occurred to me! I should have thought twice before marrying a Jones! So Levi was out. Jackson, the one and only name we could agree on, was it. Knowing and loving Travis and Angela Cottrell’s son Jackson (he goes by Jack now) made me love the name.
Fast forward three years. To our great surprise, we now had a chance to bring out that long list of baby girl names. Somehow we eliminated every single one to the point that we needed a brand new list. It’s crazy how that happens.
I so wanted to honor my mother with our baby girl’s name. I’m sure I don’t even need to tell you why. Honestly, I cannot adequately convey in words what it means to me. My mom is an incredible wife, mother, confidante, encourager, prayer warrior, servant, teacher, writer, and lover of God. I would have been thrilled for our daughter to be connected to her grandmother in that way and for her to carry on the legacy of loving God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Naming her after my mom would not be hard, as “Elizabeth” sounds beautiful as a middle name with almost anything you can come up with. But I don’t think of my mom as Elizabeth. I think of her as “Beth.” So I started brainstorming names that incorporated Beth. Bethany…Beth Ann…Annabeth! We fell in love with that name. It was not a common name, but still sounded classic in a southern sort of way. We felt it was perfect for our little girl.
Annabeth’s middle name is “Ellen,” which is from Curt’s side of the family. His great-grandmother was the first Ellen. I never had the privilege of meeting her, but I do know and dearly love Curt’s sister, who is named Lindsay Ellen. He also has a precious college-age cousin named Erin Ellen. Both of these young women live lives of wholehearted devotion to Christ. I have been so moved by their purity and also their desire and willingness to serve others. I would be thrilled for my daughter to enjoy a close relationship with and emulate the godly traits of both of these delightful women.
It’s truly a gift that our children can draw from a godly heritage on both sides of our family. I’m very thankful for that. At the same time, I realize that there may be a Siesta reading this blog who is the only one in her family who follows Christ. Sister, if that is you, please be blessed in the knowledge that a godly legacy is beginning with you! I pray that one day you will get to see your physical and spiritual offspring worshipping before the Throne. What great joy! I love the verse in 1 Thessalonians that says, “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).
If anyone would like to share, I’d love to know the story behind your name!
Ladies,
Please pray for my friend Colette. Tonight during dinner, what we think was boiling oil, spilled over the front of her chest and burned her SEVERELY.
She is in the hospital right now, is on Morphine and under doctor care.
We need prayer. For scarring, operations, financial provision and just downright comfort from our Father for her.
Please, please join my Mom and I as we pray for one of our best friends.
Kristen
I share the same name as my mother “Royana”. She was named after my great grandparents Roy and Ana. My middle name is “Jane” which is believed to be “a gift of God”. I’m sure my parents wished the middle name different now as I’m not sure what kind of “gift” I am!! hahahahaha!!! There is a lot to be said for a name. Both of my children carry a name from my husband and I. My son “Isaac” was named appropriately after the great Patriarch himself. He was our “child of promise” after 10 years of waiting for a child. Isaac is a sweet boy and loves the Lord so very much it amazes me. My husband and I are convinced he will end up like “John the Baptist” preaching in the wilderness. He does it at school already. God still works in mighty ways and always will. I love HIM so and I can’t wait to see HIM face to face.
Royana (aka Isaac’s Mom)
I was named after the character of Lara in the movie Dr. Zhivago. Lara was the “other woman”, but my parents loved the name and the spelling. Our oldest daughter is named Bailey, after George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life” because we knew life with her would be wonderful. Our twin daughters were named Emily Rose-Rose after my Grandma and Amanda Grace-Amanda after my husband’s Grandma and Emily and Grace because we liked them and because of God’s grace to our family to give us twins after a miscarriage.
My name is Ada Clair, very southern, I know. I was named after my grandmothers. Ada after my mom’s mother and Clair after my dad’s. If I had been a boy I would have been Farris Franklin, maybe that’s why I don’t have any siblings1:)
Oh I love the story of how you named Annabeth
I am also enjoying reading some of the other commenters and the origins of their names – there are some neat ones 🙂
I am named after my mom’s sister which has always been special to me 🙂
When we were pregnant though my hubby said if we had a girl he had always LOVED the name Beth Page – from the Bible 🙂
However we have 2 fun little boys – Connor was named b/c we are Irish and then Connor actually named his little brother – Cole – (we had it narrowed down to Luke or Cole) – so sweet
Enjoy that little girl she is DARLING!
Blessings
Kim
We had a boy name picked out before we ever started trying to get pregnant. Jack Thomas. Jack after my husband’s grandfather whom he adored and Thomas after my dad whom I adore. Both God loving men.
However our first child was a girl and we struggled! My husband’s grandmother knows every female’s name in her family for ump-teen generations. And she wrote every single name down for us. I held this list in my hand as we headed to the hospital. I looked down at the list and a LAST name jumped out at me. I looked over at my husband and said Dailey…that’s her name. We also loved Rae for a girl. (don’t know why) We NEVER intended to to call her a double name but to know our “Dailey Rae” is to love our “Dailey Rae”. Most people have to ask us twice what her name is but it definitely fits.
We did get our Jack Thomas the second go around. And he has his great-granddaddy Jack’s personality through and through. We only wish Granddaddy Jack had been around to meet the “other” Jack Leary.
I do love your choice of Annabeth. I think a Mother or Grandmother is honored to have a namesake. My Grandmother’s name was Alta Olive and my Momma named me Alta Lynn…
O, thank you Jesus…Alta was tough enough with out the Olive. All my young life I wanted another name. Something simple like Sally or Mary. Not realizing that because my name was so unusual it really set me apart. I think God had that in mind all along. Before I gave my heart to Jesus, my name was attached to shame and guilt because of my sinful life. But, then came Jesus and He gave new meaning to my name and now others know the changed Alta and I don’t mind so much being Alta Lynn… the Jesus Girl:~)
I was named after the actress, Paulette Goddard. I know, I know, that really dates me! My dad wanted Paula, but my mom put her put down. I am so glad for my mom’s perseverance! I love the name, Paulette.
Thanks for sharing this post. You brought tears to my eyes as you talked about your sweet Mom. I’m sure she’s as pleased as punch.
My mom read my name in a book, so who knows if she pronounced it correctly? Dara – rhymes with Sarah… but I have been called Darla, Dana, Dora, and many other interesting pronounciations. I’ve only met a couple other Dara’s, so I have enjoyed having a unique name.
My husband’s name is Shane. We decided to name our daughter Shae, dropping the N out of his name (I also grew up with a friend named Shay). Our daughter is grown now, but oh my…the issues we’ve had with confusion over their similar names. Never thought of that when she was born. Don’t know if our church will ever get their tithe and offering records separated. :o)
Already having one daughter, my parents were hoping for a boy when they were expecting me. They planned to name their son after my Uncle Bob/Robert. When I arrived (on my father’s birthday), they decided to name me Robin, but they couldn’t think of a name to go with it. It wasn’t until I was seven and in the hospital to have my tonsils removed that I realized I had no middle name. On my wrist band in the appropriate box it just said, “NONE.” Bothered by having the name Robin None, my parents said I could choose for my birthday any middle name I wanted. I chose Marie after my best friend. On my birthday, my parents presented me with a new birth certificate with my new, official name, Robin Marie!
This is so much fun…
I am yet another 1970’s Jennifer Lynn. My mother was Linda. I always liked having a bit of her name.
First I had a son – Andrew (his daddy’s middle name) we didn’t have a middle name. I kept saying the angels would need to attach a tag to let us know what to name him. We didn’t get the “It’s a boy” from the dr, instead it was “You need a middle name!” When they were cleaning and checking him my husband said SCOTT. (He must have seen the tag) Andrew Scott it is. It took almost a full week before I stopped calling him “the baby”. I remember so clearly the first time I referred to him as Andy. Being a first time mom is weird.
Then we were pg w/ #2, I really wanted to know that time but the u/s was during baby naptime. 51% girl and 49% boy was the final call. We still liked our girl name Erin (so she can play co-ed hockey w/o having a girly name) and Lynore after my m/n Lynn, and my GG Nora, mostly she is named after my husband’s grandma Lenore.
Oh, I have to tell this story about a friend of mine. Her maiden name is Kelly Morgan. She married a guy whose last name was Morgan. So she became Kelly Morgan Morgan. They later divorced and she married a guy whose last name was Kelley. So now she’s Kelly Morgan Morgan Kelley, but goes by Kelly Kelley. Hilarious.
I love how you came up with Annabeth’s name! How sweet!
I don’t really have a story about my name but, my maiden name is the same as Curt’s sister..Lindsey Jones!
Hey Amanda! The story behind my name is incredibly boring; however, I am obsessed with looking up the meaning of names. I’m so intrigued by people of the bible living out the meaning of their names, or their God-given names after he changed them. I have a list of 8 names right now for our future children. Hopefully I won’t need to use them ALL! Mark’s stressed at the thought alone! Ha!
I loved your post Amanda! We are playing the name game for a little girl right now. I never knew how hard it would be to name a child!
My name is Teresa Leann. My first name was actually my father’s old girlfriend’s name. I have never met her, but I’ve been told that she was so sweet and everyone loved her. I guess my parents were hoping that I would be sweet too.
My middle name is my parent’s middle names put together. Lee came from my dad’s dad and Ann is a family name.
My name is nothing special but my baby daughter who is now 32 that’s a story. I named her Bethany Vanessa. Bethany taken from Luke 24:50 the place of Christ’s ascension and Vanessa for my Dad, Van, who has been in heaven with Jesus since I was 16.
And Amanda, Annabeth’s name is beautiful and yes may she grow up to be the woman of God that is her namesake and her own Mom.
Abba’s blessings are resting upon you.
Little Momma, so that’s where little AnnaBeth got her name! Coolness:) Being named after a godly heritage is def ground for praising the Lord!! I do want to be a woman who raises children who love the Lord and are wholly devoted to Him. Completely victorious lives to His glory! Oh, let it be Lord!
My name is Katherine Ann. I was named after my dad’s momma. If I went by any other name, it would be Kate or Katelyn I would think…My fam calls me nicknames like Katie-kins and Lulubelle (these came from my momma and my older sis, so I can’t really explain why they exist:):)
Blessings to ya, Little Momma:)
katiegfromtennessee
I was named after my paternal grandfather, Andrew. My mom, who was considering naming me Kim or Kimberly, told me my dad wanted to name me Dawn, which is my middle name.
I loved reading the story behind Annabeth Ellen’s name and what a treasure is her godly heritage!
My name is Kristy – so story behind it, except that no one spells it this way – and my name is misspelled on everything. My more important name story is that of my son Joshua – our 3rd child. My first son is Jacob, our daughter, Jalyn and you can see, we had to stick with the J’s. My husband and I couldn’t agree on a J name for him at all. One Sun. in church, the pastor was talking about the name Jesus and how he said, “The name is…” And those words appeared on the big screen – then the name, “JOSHUA”. I knew right then, that was “The Name”! I told my husband, and he said, “No way.” I looked at him in shock, then he whispers to me, “Just Joshing you.” Joshua it is!
(Just for the record: You’re about to get a few comments from me!)
I loved this post, Amanda. I do love her name and I love now how you got it. What a precious way to honor your Mom!
However, I have to say that I have always thought that the meaning of my name was just lame, a tree by the lake, however, as I was reading through some comments and saw Dori’s comment about her “Lindsey”, I got a whole new attitude about my name. I am now claiming that verse for myself. Also, my middle name is Kristine (which is my Mom’s name)and I lookied it up today (because I never have) and it means “follower of Christ!” I love that.
So, now because of this post, I have a whole new attitude about my name!
It is so neat that I just happened to read your blog today. I have a 17 month old son, Andrew. Today, as I was coming home from a playdate with friends, I had the thought…What would I name my next child? Annabeth was my girl name! My grandmother’s middle name is Anna, and her mother was Elizabeth, and I was named after her (middle name). She is the only great grandmother that I did not get to meet. She passed away when my mom was 2 years old. My grandmother has talked about her wonderful Christian parents all my life. My grandmother and her siblings are definitely a testament to their faith.
Since coming to know Christ over 30 years ago, I live every day of my life, trying to NOT live up to my name. The root of my name means evil, dark or malignant. I was named after a woman on a Christmas show my mother saw in the 50’s. Today and forever though, my name is Melana-Lover of Christ!
Melana in Wyoming
Keri Leigh
My dad wanted to name me Nadia because of the Romanian gymnast (We are of German heritage).
My mom wanted to name me Erin. She wanted a short name because she taught kindergarten and wanted an easy name for me to write. Talk about low expectations, lol!
They landed on Keri.
My dad’s middle name is Lee, so my middle name is in his honor. My second son also sports Lee as a middle name!
We are having a baby girl in May… we are struggling to come up with a name. One day I like one name and the next I don’t. 🙂 What a name means is important to me. I know that the right one will come along!! 🙂
I’m named Karen after a childhood friend of my mom’s. That friend died at a young age, and my mom never forgot her friendship.
Our daughter is Alyssa Joy — Alyssa because we didn’t know anyone else with that name and because we thought it was pretty, and Joy because she was a joy-gift from God!
Our first son is Erik Gregory — Erik (with a K) because both of my brother’s have Erik as a middle name and because my grandfather was a big fan of Leif Erikson. Gregory is my husband’s name — the family tradition is to use the father’s name for a middle name.
Our second son is Paul Howard. Paul because we liked it and my husband has a good friend Paul. Howard is my father’s name.
This is a really fun posting to read!
Well, my name is Jennifer and there really isn’t a huge story behind it. Just about every other girl born in the 70’s seems to have the name Jennifer!
However, I do have one for my daughter Isabella that we tell her often….
God delivered my husband and I out of a life of sin in August of 1999. We had been trying to have a baby for about a year before that. (Why? Pure insanity and drugs — we were not fit to be parents.) The month after we were saved I found out I was pregnant! God knows, doesn’t He? Well, we did the list of names like everyone does, and then we came across Isabella.
Isabella means consecrated to God. That was it! So Isabella Hope Carpenter was born on June 13, 2000.
To top that off, all of the girl grandbabies on my parent’s side of the family have names that ‘go’ together.
**FAITH Margaret**
**Persephone LOVE**
**Isabella HOPE**
**Emmalee GRACE**
My sister and I joke that they will be a Christian singing group some day!
I come from a family that doesn’t know the Lord. I am the first in my family (that I’m aware of) that has decided to follow hard after God. The best thing is that all the grandkids attend church. God has changed our legacy — FOREVER! I am a daughter of the Most High God. I wear His mark and I bear His name! AMEN!
http://livetoproclaim.blogspot.com/2009/02/written-in-stone.html
My name has been reconciled to Christ in this post, I explain…
Thank you for your post.
What fun to read everyone’s name story! My own is kind of weird–I’m Virginia Ann. The Virginia is after Virginia Dare, the first English baby born in America. Still don’t know exactly where they came up with THAT story! I think they just liked Ann.
My little boy is Noah Ellis. We wanted to use a Bible name, but hubby’s brother has had 9 children, all with Bible names–you start running out of decent choices at a certain point! But, we really liked Noah because he was someone who really ran against the crowd to do what God told him to do. Here’s hoping our Noah will do the same! Ellis is my maiden name. My dad is the last Ellis on his side of the family, and my brothers were contrary and had girls. So, even though it’s not a last name, the Ellis will continue!
abby is just a name that my mom and dad liked, but my middle name, lane, is also the middle name of my grandmother, great-grandmother, my mom’s sister, and her daughter.
and contrary to the belief of every adult that i met until i was 15, i was not named after a Beatle’s song. it’s ‘abby road’ and ‘penny lane’ and i’ve never heard either song. i like abby lane better anyways. 🙂
Amanda: it was fun to read the story behind Annabeth’s name. In someways it reminds me of when we named each of our children. I taught preschool and my hubby drove school buses while in Seminary. So as you can imagine many names reminded us of someone and not always in a pleasant way. Add to that our to desire to have their first and middle names go together well and have a good meaning and you have a mix for a hard time. I found that the name that came easiest was for the opposite sex of the child we were having. My hubby remembers it the other way. lol
My name does not really have any great story behind it except that my middle name is the same as my mom’s, grandma’s, ect. It goes back to our cultural heritage. Kim B. in AZ
Amanda,
Congrats on your baby girl! I left a comment earlier after skimming the post about how I had thought of the name Annabeth, today of all days, if my husband and I had a daughter. I did not realize when I posted it that you had had your baby. I have a 17 month old, and was spending a late night looking up some information on Lifeway and catching up on the Esther study, when I stumbled upon the blog.
Well, I have never left a comment before but since I had a birthday yesterday and turned 50! it was very timely that you mentioned the names because I have a twin brother and I always thought it was so neat that my mom and dad named my brother “Randy Ray” and my name “Kandy Kay”. Now as a mom to eleven children-6 daughters all ending with “any”-Tiffany, Brittany, Bethany, Steffany, Albany, Destany; and 5 sons with strong names-Seth, Gabriel, Christian, Benjamin, Quinton. (We were blessed to adopt our youngest seven from crisis prenancy centers). It has been a blessing to hear our children say they really like their names.
Amanda,
Thanks so much for the encouraging words!
My name has no special story…my parents just liked it. My daughter, however, is Faith Reanna. Faith because my problematic pregnancy with my sweet girl was the catalyst for my husband and I really leaning on our faith in God during that long 9 months. We just had an explosion of fresh faith and realized nothing but our heavenly Father would get us through it. Also, Reanna because it honors my beloved Grandma Rea and my Mom Lou Ann and my Great Aunt Annie. So, voila!
Annabeth Ellen is beautiful…the name AND the baby girl! Enjoy all the PINK!
Love,
Kristen
Amanda, I loved your story about names. I am done having children, but still sometimes catch myself thinking about “what would I name a baby, IF I were to have another”. Anyway, I thought I would share the background of my youngest son’s name since it has STRONG Houston ties. My husband was born and raised in Houston and ALL of his family still lives there. He grew up watching his beloved Houston Astros and has become quite the historian when it comes to that team. My youngest son is named Colt because the Astros were the Colt 45’s originally (before the Astrodome was built). My husband knew I wouldn’t go for “Astro” as a name ( : !!!! So he suggested Colton James (James is his middle name). I agreed as long as we could call him “Colt” — I took the bait hook, line and sinker . . . my husband’s suggestion stuck. It wasn’t until I had really come to love the name that I realized WHY my husband had picked that name! I love Colt’s name and the how it represents something of meaning to us. I love to hear stories about peoples names – I think it gives alot of insight into who people are! THanks for sharing!
Jennifer in AR
My name is Margaret Lois. I am named Margaret after my father’s mother who died in a car crash before I was born. Then Lois is my mother’s momther’s name. The sweetest grandmother to every walk the earth. She truly epitomized the nana house.
My mother wanted to nickname me Marlo to combine the two but I was born when Marlo Thomas was on TV as “That Girl”. My mom didn’t want me to be known/called that girl so she needed a new name.
She was working for a dentist at the time who was having a little girl and they were going to give her the name Ally. He told her to put a “M” on the front and call me Mally (Sally with an M).
It stuck.
I adore your mother and her work and what she has meant to women all over the world for many years past and many to come. Your daughter will be graced by this powerhouse of a Christian woman. I know I have been…..
Well…This will be different.When my Mom was expecting me ,my Dad told her he always loved the name of his old girlfriend( Yes, you read that right!)So, when my Mom was 9 months pregnant my Dad was killed in a wreck and Mom named me his old girlfriends name.Brenda Gayle.You know, there are just some things in life you do not need to know!LOL
My name is Jennifer Faye, and while I don’t have a great story full of meaning for how it came to be… it is quite funny. My mom and dad desperately wanted a child and had tried for years to get pregnant. When they finally did, my mom decided I had to be named Jennifer because of a movie character who was such a strong, feminine woman… just the combination she wanted me to be. But they had not settled on a middle name. After I was born, my mom was resting and the doctor came in, so the story goes. He asked what my name was, and my dad said “Jennifer…. Faye, after my wife.” So there it is! Faye. My mom was horrified, but it was already on the birth certificate! I’m thrilled to be named after my mom, who is a terrific woman of God, and I know she is too humble to have ever asked for me to be named after her… so I’m glad my dad made that “mistake!”
Hehe.. my mom and dad named me after Jaclyn Smith’s character on Charlie’s Angels. (Yes, thank you, I WAS born in 1978!)
My middle name is Anne, which was also part of both my great-grandmothers’ names. Neither of them spelled it with the e on the end, but Mom liked it best that way.
We’ve talked about it, and when we have a child, if it’s a boy it will be some J name and Clay (my Daddy’s name) for the middle – that way the initials will be the same for my Daddy, my husband, and my son. If it’s a girl, I have no doubt that I want to name her Sarah after my Grandma, who was just the kindest soul I ever have known and a strong Christian woman to boot.
I love reading how others got their names or came up with their kids’ names.
Melanie Kate. I am named after my Mema, Edith Kate. She was so special to me growing up. She had endless patience, grew flowers like she had a green thumb, and was a true lady in every sense of the word. At her funeral the preacher spoke on the virtues of a woman and how my Mema was a “true lady.” She was a wonderful mother, faithful and submissive wife, the best grandmother ever, and a pastor’s wife that EVERYone loved. I am so honored to have her name and hope to one day live up to it.
Now, I am in the process of adopting my foster daughter whom I have had for over 2 years. She will be known as Morgan Kate. I thought hard about Morgan Faith because sometimes it was only faith that got us through the journey together. In the end Kate stuck. I can think of no better way to honor my Mema who will never meet my daughter but a day never goes by that I don’t think about how much she would have loved her and how much she would have taught her.
btw…I love Annabeth’s name!
My name is Amanda Elizabeth.
My mother’s name is Laura Elizabeth and also goes by “Beth.”
Elizabeth has been our family middle name for about 5 generations now.
My daughter is Anna Elizabeth and we all her “Anna Beth.”
So, how strange is that that we all have the same names.
Amanda- You will be happy that you combined her name to “Annabeth”, it bothers me when people call my daughter just “Anna.”
Amanda in Memphis
My name, Dorcas Elizabeth, came from both my great-grandmothers. My mom wasn’t even aware of it being a Biblical name, until after I was born, but she knew my Dad’s grandmother, Dorcas, who was, as I’m told a wonderful, godly, spunky lady she loved dearly. I grew up disliking my name, it drew a lot of unkind comments when I was a kid, especially teamed with my last name of Beegle.
Dorcas Beegle. They had a field day with me. I’ve tried nicknames, and nothing ever stuck, until, as an adult, my family moved to a new area, and I pulled “Beth” out of my middle name, Elizabeth. 13 years later, most everyone now calls me Beth, but I’ve discovered when God calls me by name, I calls me Dorcas, and that’s just fine with me.
My middle child is Summer Faith. The last few months of my pregnancy with her were also the last few months of my Dad’s fight with cancer. He came to stay with me that summer and it was one of the hardest and the best. I was too sad at the time to name her after him so I named her after our summer of faith.
My mother so wanted a little girl because my father already had two good-looking, athletic and smart sons. She didn’t want a pudgy little boy to have to compete. She also had a girl in her class (she was a teacher) named Eden who was pretty, smart and talented. Somehow she thought the name would bring that.
Eden means ‘God’s gift’ and I was exactly what my mother wanted.
As for my first name, it comes from the summer olympics that year. I have never really asked for the details, guess I should. Middle name, not a hard one to figure out. I just love the fact that my Papaw named me, Nesha Cher.
We found out what we were having with both boys, so the names are:
Morgan: his is a family name on my husband's side. He is the 3rd Morgan, all males. Morgan was a male name until Morgan Fairchild changed that. We actually know 2 other boys with the name Morgan, all in middle school.
Stephen: he fought with all he had during the pregnancy & after to be here, with strength from God! We wanted a strong biblical name for him. To hear his sunday school teacher tell us how Stephen is a blessing with the heart of the faith that comes out of him; oh man, make his mom cry, happiness!
My name story is quite interesting. My mom taught 2nd grade and was pregnant with me. One day, one of her students shared about her new little cousin Heather Lynn. My mom liked the name and figured she’d never see this girl again, so why not? She named me Heather Lynn. Years later, my father passed away and my mom began dating a man who is now my stepfather. As he was showing her pictures of his family my mom commented that his niece (who by now was college-aged) looked exactly like a girl she used to teach. She went on to tell him that this girl shared about her little cousin, Heather Lynn, during show and tell one day and that is how she came up with my name. Well, lo and behold, my stepfather is the uncle of the student my mom used to teach and the original Heather Lynn. Small world, big God with a sense of humor!
My parent’s named me Christi after Catherine Marshall’s Christy. She wanted me to grow up to be a strong Christian, like the heroine of the book. I read it for the first time when I was 12, and told my mom that I would try to be like Christy in most ways, but I would NOT be a teacher like her. Of course, I grew up to be a teacher! This is my fifteenth year.
My first name was chosen by my mom. Her step-dad is named Sonny.
(Her biological father passed away when she was very young and Sonny raised her.) Mom changed the spelling to ‘Sunni’ for me. It blows my mind that you guys know a ‘Sunni’. I’ve never met one in my whole life! Please tell her that I said “Hello” and that she has a fabulous name. 🙂
My Grandmother chose French middle names for my sister and I.
In keeping the Sunni / French theme, I gave my daughter Isabella the middle name ‘Soleil’ which means ‘sun’ in French. 🙂
I named my daughter Isabella because I honestly feel like it was the name God layed on my heart. (DH and I had something very different chosen at first.) I looked up the name meaning to Isabella and it means ‘consecrated to God.’ I know that God called for all of the first born sons to be consecrated to Him and even though she isn’t a boy, I couldn’t think of a better name (and name meaning) to give to my first born.
Isabella is another form of Elizabeth, which made me think of my Grandma and your mom- two of my earthly heroes.
My mom had my middle name picked out, because it was her middle name also. But she couldn’t come up with a first name for me.
So, at one of her baby showers they passed a hat around and everyone got to put a name in the hat. The name that got picked was Julie. So here I am! A girl with a name picked out of a hat!
Oh, I loved hearing you talk about your mother. It is my great desire that my girls would see those things in me one day.
I have always believed that the meanings of names are very important. My dad named me Shannon Rae, and that would have been my name if I was a girl or a boy! I named my first daughter Maggie Rae. I’m honored to share it with her.
Names are important. My mother wanted to name me Victoria and call me Vicki. My father said no, name her what you plan to call her, so I ended up with Vicki Louise (after my mom). My husband was named Eddie after Eddie Arnold and was given the middle name of Gyland, a family name.
My daughter’s name is Melissa; she was named after a little girl down the street that was cast aside by her step-mother and ignored by her own mother. As a teenager, I always tried to pay special attention to her because I felt she was slighted. I added Angelique as my daughter’s middle name. It is a version of Angel and since she was adopted, she was our angel. Yes, Angelique was also a ghost on “Dark Shadows” an old soap that was on when I was a teenager.
As she got older and I began to study the bible more, I realized her intitials were MAP. I started praying that God would give her a map to follow, because she had learning disorders and behavior problems and I needed a map from God to raise her.
Our granddaughter is Alyssa, named after Alyssa Melano, a name a teenage mother would idolize. She is somewhat like her mother, but does not have severe learning problems. The behavior problems and impulsivity are still there, but with God’s help, we are more equipped to help her reach adulthood. She does not have a map imbedded in her name, but we do our best to follow God’s map for her.
God allowed me to go back to school to learn more about kids with problems. Alyssa was born the day before I started graduate school and the same week we started the very first Beth Moore Bible study at our church. I would not have made it if I had not had that bible study. After the birth of Alyssa, a hurricane came through, and my mom died a month later. Bible study, my small group, and prayer helped me make it through that first year of school. I definitely needed a map.
Back to names, two grandsons have followed. Matthew has speech, learning, and behavior problems. His initials are MAP—-I named him as well. He is going to need a MAP from God as do his grandfather and I. Mark was born with a three chamber heart with a hole in it. He has been surgically healed through the hand of God. I new immediately he needed a MAP from God so I named him using the same initials.
Names are part of our family history and need to have meaning. Maps from God on how to live and how to raise children are so very important. Bible studies help us learn how to follow God’s map(s) for living. I am thankful beyond words that God raises women like your mother, Beth, to bring His maps to life for us.