What’s In A Name

It is probably true that we are the only species that names our children. I imagine that some folks like their names and others who wish their parents were more creative. I still wonder about those parents who chose those names that seemed at the time to be “pretty far out:” River, Sky, Walker, America, Wind, Rand, and my personal favorite, Orangejello.

We are told that Millennials are giving their kids name that are “unique.” It has something to do with the desire for smaller brands (which by the way is not a bad name – Brand).

Now that this year’s list is out, name-watchers have noted that J-names are getting unpopular while names starting with vowels are hot. Names that end in a plosive (Pete, Jack, Kate) are less popular than names that end in a fricative or a vowel. People seem to be losing interest in New Testament names (Mary is thin on the ground and Michael, who had a 45-year reign as male baby name No. 1, is trending down.) But Old Testament names (Noah, Jacob, Ethan, Abigail and Daniel) are enjoying a spike. Millennials don’t want their kid associated with any monolithic name that might dominate the cut-throat baby name market. (Tip: get in early and invest in Gannon and Aranza now now.) (TIME)

There is one name that is above every name. It is a name at which every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess, that the One whose name is JESUS is King of Kings and Lord of Lord. Some say it is the sweetest name they know, and others talk about the peace and comfort of knowing the One named JESUS. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Naturally there are those who abhor, avoid, disavow that name. They are unwilling to admit they are in need of His grace and mercy. Pity! It is free, and redemption, power, hope, joy, peace, llove, and an infinite Now in His presence, is found in that name.