Shakespeare: A rose by any other name would smell as sweet
Rick Riordan: Names have power
Morris Mandel: Integrity: A name is the blueprint of the thing we call character. You ask, What’s in a name? I answer, Just about everything you do.
Rachel Ingber: A name represents integrity, a deep feeling and holds tremendous significance to its owner
The Beginning
Growing up in the church, I learned the significance of words, numbers, and names. My mom volunteered in the church bookstore, so I spent quite a bit of time there before and after church. I mostly looked through the tapes, yes, cassette tapes (this was the 80s) and eventually, the CDs to see what latest project my favorite music artists had released. I wonder if this is where my love of bookstores began… Anyhow, I would also peruse the books and most notably, the office supplies – notebook, pens, highlighters, etc. I was also introduced to pocket-sized Biblica name-meaning cards.
I think I was maybe eight or nine when I received my card. I learned my name has a French origin meaning strength. There was also a bible verse that I used to know associated with the meaning. I haven’t seen my card in years, but it was probably one of the best gifts I received because it put me on a path of realizing how important names are because of the definition tied to them. But as for me, what did I have to be strong about? How strong would I need to be? What strength did I possess? Where do my strengths lie?
The Journey
I used to despise my name. Seriously, who would saddle their kid with a name starting with a letter from the end of the alphabet? It just felt so odd, especially with my super common last name. When I met my very 1st best friend, Venedra, in 1st grade, I was blown away by how cool her name sounded with that unique ‘V’ at the start. And don’t even get me started on Vanessa Huxtable – I was ready to change my name at 18 just to be like her! Can you believe I even thought my hair would turn curly, just like hers, along with the name change? (Ironically, my hair did look like this, but let’s stay focused!) Looking back, I can’t remember exactly when I made peace with my name, but knowing its meaning definitely helped.
Somewhere in my teenage years, I found out my name also means determined in another language. So I derived my name meaning Strongly determined. This information has helped me learn me. The name of a thing defines its function. The name determines the response and the level of respect. It makes me wonder if Adam enjoyed his job of naming every creature, insect, and plant in the Garden of Eden. The amount of wisdom bestowed upon him to complete such a task is astonishing to think about.
The Shift
Expanding name-definition thoughts to my circle, an Instagram post roused me to use a different approach to pray for my girlfriends and sisters. I looked up the meaning of each of their names, found a scripture for each, and planned to pray for them daily. However, after some time passed, I realized I hadn’t been doing so, but then I found motivation and started praying for them as intended. So in the midst of thinking of and praying for them, I was prompted to look up the meaning of my name again, wondering if I remembered the definition correctly. I found that it means brave and has a Latin root, valiant. St. Valerie of Limoges, a 3rd-century Christian martyr, was known for her strength and courage because, after her beheading, she returned her head to the bishop. My name also means strong and healthy. I knew about the strength, but adding healthy to it changes it.
Learning this truth broke me and brought me to a face full of tears. I texted two of my close friends hoping for some sort of reaction that would snap me back into reality because I was spiraling! I have been living with chronic diseases since my late twenties. In the past 5 years, there have been times when it seems like it’s more than I can bear. Within the past year, I’ve cried to God, asking Him to remove it or me because why God?!? But in the midst of my mind-boggling revelation, I was reminded of this scripture:
John 11: 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
New International Version
This scripture serves as a powerful reminder that all the pain, stress, frustration, and worry, as well as the tests and doctor’s visits, are part of a journey that can ultimately bring glory to God. Even as I write this, experiencing pain, I hold onto the hope that someone else might be inspired to turn their heart towards God through my story. It’s my wish that when others think of my struggles, they will recognize that despite everything, I never lost my faith and trust in God. It’s in my moments of weakness that I found the strength to hold on, resting in His unwavering power.
If you’re curious, yes, today is the day I fully embrace my name. Someone told me they hadn’t heard the name Valerie in ages. Now, I know quite a few Valeries, so hearing that was quite a pleasant surprise! The letter Vee is a real tongue-twister for little people. So, as a preschool teacher, I was dubbed Ms. Dal, Ms. Bal, and various other creative renditions they came up with – and it was totally cool! I’m truly grateful for whatever inspiration led my parents to settle on Valerie. I’ve prodded them numerous times for a heartwarming anecdote, and all I get is, “I think I saw it somewhere and liked it.” Oh well, whether by fate or a mere whim, I don’t think I could have pulled off the name Vanessa!
I encourage you to do your research and see what your name means and how it frames your world. Start with a simple Google search and fall down the rabbit hole to see where it takes you. Trace the heritage of your surname. You may be surprised what traits or attributes of your personality have been shaped or spurned because of your name.
Give Love. Get Love.
The Ready Writer 