Biblical Names for Children.

[MamaHen]

I believe that the responsibility to name our children, much like our responsibility to rear up our children, is given to us by God. His help is crucial if it be done correctly, but ultimately the freedom to choose just how(and either do it 'right' or mess it up) is our own. My husband and I had many outside influences tell us our children's names were too common or simple. We gave them good, solid Christian names because that is the type of people we hope to bring them up to be. (With Our Lord's loving guidance.)

 

[Sabertooth]

... I also think it's important to actually let God name your kid, rather then worry about what we want to name it...

Let God name your kids, they're his anyway and he knows them better then you ever will.

That's what we did. After praying, I believe that is why some names felt more "right" than others that were still very cool.

Per Ps. 139:16*, God knows their "story" at the outset. We simply asked Him for the names of their stories.

* "...All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be."

 

[heart of peace]

What exactly is a "christian" name? People who live by this rule and are really particular about it as being important, may have a rude shock if they were to actually do some history study on the origin of names.

So, I take it then that you don't celebrate Christmas with a decorated tree, you don't incorporate the Easter bunny during Pascha, or anything else that possibly has any connection to pagan or other shocking historical study?

A Christian name is the name of a Saint that lived either before or after Christ. Regardless if one of the Saint's name may have some sort of similarity to paganism (or whatever else), does not mean that the name cannot change its meaning.

Names do have meanings, yes, and they are important. I do believe that people are generally the meaning of their name. I also think it's important to actually let God name your kid, rather then worry about what we want to name it.

That worry about "christian" or "biblical" names. Let God name your kids, they're his anyway and he knows them better then you ever will.

Naming one's child after a Saint is important to me for many reasons, one of which is the reason you provided (they have meanings and it provides a model to look to for inspiration as one journeys towards eternal salvation).

I respect your opinion and you are entitled to it. I could do without your flippant dismissal of a tradition that is a big part of my faith as an Orthodox Chrisitan but hey, this is the internet. So no biggie.

 

[beehoney]

How important do you think it is for Christian parents to give their children Biblical or otherwise 'Christian' names?

It's not something I regard as important. The Biblical names I actually like are so common that every other person in the phone book has one of those, and I'm not going to go with Hezekiah just to have a unique name for my child if it will make him the laughing stock in town.

 

[Sabertooth]

Message from Hezzy,

 

[hsmommyofmany]

i dont think it is necessary. some of my kids have biblical names some are named for family members or because of the meaning of the name . i think it is important that we give our children meaningful names (to honor a fmily member, to celebrate Gods provision, etc.) but that does not mean they have to be biblical. my 2 cents worth anyway.

 

[beehoney]

Message from Hezzy,

 

[DarkCougar555]

I do like some rare and odd names. I love the name is Rachab/Rahab, I think it's speical and pretty name in my opinion.