Names have significance. They have power, and they define us. They’re more than a bunch of letters grouped together to sound pleasant to the ear. Instead, names can be a gift from God that contain his power and give us meaning.
In Genesis 1, God said, “Let there be light.” And there was. He named it into existence! God then said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.” And there was.
One half he called “sky” and the other he called “land.” From that land, God made the first man, named Adam (which means “earth”). Then God gave the power to name other things to this man.
Adam named the animals and his wife, Eve (which means “mother of all”). The same power has been given to us.
When I was born, my mother gave me a name — Christopher. It means Christ-bearer. God gave me a name, too. It’s a bit different and came later in my life. This “true name” he calls me is Love Giver and Teacher. When God gave me my name, like he did with people in the Bible, including Abraham, Sarah and Jacob, he said to me:
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” — Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)
When God gave me my name, he said I am a new creation in Jesus Christ; the old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). God’s Word is helping me to understand the meaning of my name and the kind of character I should seek. It tells me to surrender myself, to imitate God’s character and to live a life of love.
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” — Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)”
What name has God given you?
The Importance of Names: Yudea’s Story
I recently saw a story from Indonesia that highlights the significance of a name. Yudea is a 21-year-old mother and has been part of our Survival Program (CSP) for three years. She has two children.
Before enrolling in the CSP, Yudea didn’t know the importance of having a healthy environment. She didn’t know the benefits of boiling water before drinking it or washing her hands before touching meals. Yudea didn’t know that if someone doesn’t clean up their body, they can get sick easily.
When Yudea gave birth to her daughter, she couldn’t buy milk or vitamins to boost her daughter’s health, so her daughter got sick easily. But after enrolling in the Survival Program, this changed.
She received nutritious food, vitamins, milk and a lot of information that supported her as a pregnant mother. She also was able to go to regular pregnancy checkups at the doctor without having to think twice about what she and her husband would have to pay.
So when she gave birth to her second child, a healthy son, Yudea showed her thankfulness to God by naming him Cisipi. This name is the acronym of our Survival Program (CSP), with an “I” added between each letter. The meaning of the name is “grateful to God.”
“It is a form of my gratitude because the CSP has made my son grow healthy and smart,” says Yudea.
Because of the support he has through the CSP, Cisipi doesn’t get sick easily, like other children in his neighborhood. He’s active and thriving. And Yudea? She’s thankful. Cisipi’s name is a constant reminder of God’s goodness working in her life.
Do You Share a Name With a Child in Poverty?
You might just share a name with a child in poverty who’s in desperate need of help. Deliver hope to a child in need by searching for them by name and becoming their sponsor today!
Article originally published on June 25, 2010, and updated March 28, 2024.