“You are loved, my child, by a God who has your name written on His hand, by a God who knows your name, by a God who has a plan for you to bring glory to Me.”
If you told me a few years back that as believers we need to entrust God with naming our children, I would have been skeptic about the idea. Only in the Bible had I read that God named men who were born of a certain calling and purpose. Other than that, I had never witnessed or heard anyone attest to naming their child after receiving an inspiration by the Holy spirit. In my culture, children we were named after someone in the descent or those who were of Christian belief adhered to Biblical names as reflection of their faith. another way was cultural names such as the time or season a baby is born. For example, being the first girl from my family. I was named after my paternal grandmother.
However, with time the current generation have slowly opted out of this practice hence choosing ‘unique and sophisticated’ names. some we cannot even pronounce, or one shall need a borrowed accent for it sound correct. This reminds me of a close relative who recently named his son after a blockbuster character. Personally, I desired to name my child/ren after my late parents as I thought it was honourable and a way to keep their memories alive. Later, when I met my husband who was also in a similar circumstance (lost both parents), I thought what a perfect fit to blend the names from both sides depending on gender.
Fast forward am on the journey to becoming a mother and God speaks to me about naming the child. At first, I thought I was crazy keeping in mind as earlier stated that no one taught me this from my parents, relatives, peers, and friends. no one had ever witnessed to me neither did it ever come to my attention that God was still in the business of naming babies even in this age. God cancelled my initial plan of naming… He revealed to me that it is wise for the parents to seek His wisdom before naming their child if we genuinely believe he set as apart before we were born and called us by his Grace Galatians 1:15. A definite example, the calling of Jeremiah (exalted by God) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified[a] you; I [b]ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5. A name sets one apart, it is a mark of identity and hope through fulfilment of what a child will become thus it is important not to just pick any name…why?
- New-borns adopt or are influenced by the spirits of people they are named after. They are innocent soul and pure spirits and naming them after someone they are bound to acquire their spirit which is eventually exhibited in their character. therefore, for every name, purpose to know the spirit behind the person.
- Names reflect the character and calling.
- Also, names testify of the personal relationship with God.
God is intentional, He cares about the details. HE IS A PERSONAL God. From scripture we learn that names reveal our true purpose, nature, and intentions of God’s desired plans for those he named. Names are prophetic, a foreshadow of a specific calling and testament. He changed Abram’s name: What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations Genesis 17:5.
Jacob’s name: The man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob. You have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won. That’s why your name will be Israel Genesis 32:28.
He Gave Solomon (Peace) a second name Jedidiah (Beloved of the Lord), a name of intimacy, a reflection of His grace Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went into her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. And the Lord loved him and sent a message by Nathan the prophet. So, he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord Samuel 12:24-25. The bible is full of many more examples.
The Holy spirit changed my perspective, I learnt that if you seek God over anything. He desires his perfect will through the process as well. I slowly got this revelation being dropped in my spirit daily and decided to pray on it. I later approached my husband with the topic. Little did I know that God had already worked in his heart concerning the matter. He told me that he too had also pondered on the naming and he was sure (led by the Holy Spirit) that our child/ren should have their own identity and live in their purpose rather than attaching a name with someone’s identity. God is amazing how he speaks on both end of the line. I am privileged to say that God named our daughter, she is a true testament of loving Father who is ever present in our lives.
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you,
O Jacob, And He who formed you,
O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
Isaiah 43:1
The Making of a Disciple 