Your Name—Change It Or Keep It? … Hello Hump Day readers. This day is called the National Name Yourself Day, and it started in 2015. However, it goes back centuries. Thinking about naming yourself can be fun, but there are huge caveats when you do. As we are still in our Lenten path, it reminds me of when Jesus asked “who do you say I am” and, as we know, Peter said “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.” Many called Jesus ‘the Rabbi’ but until Peter, no one called him the Christ or the Messiah. There’s power in a name indeed! Here goes…

National Name Yourself Day is always on April 9. It’s a day to celebrate reinvention by trying on a new name. Studies show there’s a link between someone’s name and their personalities. I get it; when my twin and I were adopted our names were Patricia and Penelope and for my parents, one name wasn’t going to stick–Penelope! Am I grateful they changed that for me; they also changed my sister’s name to honor family names. However, since they thought they were adopting one daughter and found out that there were two, they didn’t have a name. Mom opened the Dr. Spock book and since there was a full moon that day, I was given the name ‘Cynthia’—the Greek Moon goddess! My folks will tell you I was NOT a goddess one bit.

We can go back 10,000 years when Native Americans named their children after nature and based on the experiences they undergo as they age, names would be changed. The Puritans and other Christianity denominations also did that and some continue today. Even the Bible tells us of 10 name changes by the Lord: Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, and Simon to Peter. The changes were powerful to reflect their lives.

What about our names? It can be fun to change but it can be hurtful. Thinking of getting a new name will not always change what you want. Some of the problems of that is family, they are hurt when you don’t like the name they gave you; or you chose a new name because you want to be that ‘persona’ you adore and you think taking that name will make you happier, better, etc. Statistics tell us that doing this has a 91% backlash on your own mental psyche. Having a day to play with a new name can be fun—even transformational. However, if that name is ‘not the you’ it is a problem. Read below what God has for names.

“The Lord created Jacob and formed Israel. Now, this is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid, because I have reclaimed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” [Isaiah 43:1 GW]

“Look here. I have made you a part of Me, written you on the palms of My hands.” [Isaiah 49:15-16 Voice]

“I’ve given you true authority. You can smash vipers and scorpions under your feet. You can walk all over the power of the enemy. You can’t be harmed. But listen—that’s not the point. Don’t be elated that evil spirits leave when you say to leave. Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” [Luke 10:19-20 Voice]

What does your name mean to you? If you changed it would you be happier? That’s the whole question about name-role-playing. It can be fun but–in the end, if you think a name change will make your life better the statistics aren’t good. For kids whose parents gave them weird names causing nasty words, bullying, etc., that’s tough I’d ask for a change of name for sure. I liked car racing so I’d tell my dad I want to be called Unser and we laughed.

For now, I’m quite happy being ‘Cynthia’ (the moon-goddess♥). Knowing that my name is engraved in God’s hand and also written in heaven gives me all the security I need, along with the incredible forgiveness, peace, grace and love that my Jesus has for me. How about you? AMEN.