What's in a name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." - Romeo & Juliet

In that context I agree with Juliet. Your last name shouldn't keep you from marrying someone. However, I do believe that a first name can be important.

How do parents choose names for their children? With a million possibilities, you want to choose a name that your child will like (most will go through a phase when they hate their name anyway) but also has a good meaning.

But what about when you are adopting and the kids already have a name? Do you keep the name that their parents gave them or give them a new name as they become a part of a new family?

In our case, I think we are going to follow God's example. In the Bible, God seems to have a real penchant for name changing. Usually we see these name changes in people whom God chooses to employ for a significant Kingdom purpose, and their new names usually fit that purpose. They aren't just random names. God doesn't say, "Hmmm...I think 'Paul' sounds like a winner."

When God chose Abram to be the "Father of many nations," He changed his name from Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (Father of a multitude) - Genesis 17:5. I imagine that this new meaning gave Abraham a strong sense of the calling God placed on his life.

A few verses later, God also changed the name of Abraham's wife from Sarai to Sarah. God's promise to Abraham could not have been fulfilled without Sarah, so she played an integral role in that covenant promise as well. Both Sarai and Sarah mean "princess." However, "Sarai means my princess, as if her honor were confined to one family only. Sarah signifies a princess —namely, of multitudes, or signifying that from her should come the Messiah the prince, even the prince of the kings of the earth."- Matthew Henry

God changed the name of Abraham's grandson too. Jacob (heel grasper or deceiver) spent his entire life attempting to scheme his way into getting his way, which got him into trouble with a lot of people, including his brother Esau. This continued right up until the day when he encountered God at the ford of Jabbok. There, Jacob wrestled with "a man" and would not let him go without a blessing. After a long night of pile-drivers and full nelsons, "the man" permanently injured Jacob's thigh and said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel (God prevails), for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."- Genesis 32:28. This name change not only gave Jacob assurance that he would prevail in gaining favor with Esau, but more importantly that God would keep His covenant with Israel.

In the New Testament, Jesus changes Simon's name to Peter (rock) (John 1:42). While Peter was certainly given to fits of instability and unbelief, ultimately he was a stable influence among the Apostles as they spread the Gospel throughout Israel and the Roman Empire.

Finally, there is the Apostle Paul (previously Saul). After his conversion, Saul begins going by the name Paul in order to aid his purpose in reaching the Gentiles of the Roman Empire. Paul was a far more recognizable name in Asia Minor, Greece and Rome than the Hebrew "Saul."

The point is, God gives his people new names that fit their purpose. We too will give our children names with meaning and purpose. We do not know what God has in store for them, but our prayer and our hope is that they will love God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, and we want their names to reflect that. Not only will their last name change because they are becoming part of our family but their first names will change as they become part of the covenant family of God through the sign and seal of baptism.