Have you ever wanted to change your name? Maybe you no longer want to associate with who you were? Or maybe the meaning of your name makes you cringe because that description isn’t one you aspire to? How about the anticipation of taking on a married name?

I recently read a book where a supporting character unofficially changed her name, but her name change was only to reflect her change in identity. The character felt her given name didn’t suit her and she’d outgrown it. The more I’ve thought about that, the more I’m convinced that the name change always indicates an identity change. This concept is not foreign to God. Time after time in the Bible one reads where God renames individuals—to grow them into who they are in Him.

Here’s a list of a few people renamed by God:

• From Abram “Exalted Father” to Abraham “Father of a Multitude” (Genesis 17:1-5)
• From Sarai “Princess” (limited) to Sarah “Princess” (universal; or mother of nations) (Genesis 17:15)
• From Jacob “Deceiver” to Israel “He Who Strives with God” (Genesis 38:28)
• From Solomon “Peaceable” to Jedediah “Beloved of the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:24)
• From Simon “Hears” to Peter “Rock” (John 1:42)

In my previous blog article, Come As You Are, I described how encountering Jesus leaves one changed. Have you ever considered how God longs to rename you (and me)? Once we accept Jesus, God calls us His children. His. Revelation 2:17 promises, “To the one who conquers I will give…him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it” (emphasis mine). This is a love name from Jesus that signifies a changed existence, a changed identity.

Two days ago, I picked up my prayer time scripture reading in Isaiah 62. Verse 1 began “…I will not keep silent…I will not be quiet…” (ESV), and I was already wide-eyed and open-eared, rapt with attention. Then, then, I read on to the end of verse 2: “…and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give” (emphasis mine). Immediately, I penned in a bold exclamation point! As I lingered and read on, the passage became even more moving. Just listen to this exquisite description Isaiah paints of this name change—“You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:3-5). Isn’t that breathtaking?!

If God, like the biblical examples above, changed your name to reflect your purpose or identity, what would He name you? What does your given name mean? From where did your name originate? I love learning the origins and meanings behind names. My husband has a strong German name—Rudolph Robert Burke. He’s named after his grandfather who immigrated from Germany (Rudolph) and his German great uncle, Robert. Rudolph means “wolf,” while Robert symbolizes “bright glory.”

Burke, obviously, is a family surname (meaning “fortress” or “stronghold”), but that name also tells a story. Back in Germany, Burke had a different spelling. Upon arrival to the United States at Ellis Island, Grandpa Rudolph was advised to change the spelling of Germanic Berke to the Irish spelling Burke as to deflect association with Germany because of World War I. And I am wholeheartedly grateful for this saving name change because two generations later, God gave me Rudy as my fortress and stronghold on earth. He is my safe place, a wolf guarding his “pack” fiercely.

Names identify us. Names tell our stories. And most importantly, names were created by and matter to God. You matter.

As children of God, we are now identified with Jesus (John 1:12). Romans 8:16-17 defines us that “we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.” So, who are we? What is our identity in Christ? Any list makers out there reading this? I’m a list maker. I have lists to make lists (I know, I know), but I need the minimalistic, at-a-glance organization a list provides. To save you the time and effort (wink, wink), I jotted down a quick list of some qualifiers for our God-given identity in Jesus. Seriously, though, I challenge you to flip through scripture and form your own list, a list more detailed and personalized than mine here!

Who I Am in Christ:

• Child of God
• Daughter
• Son
• Beloved
• Friend
• Heir
• Chosen
• Light
• Branch
• Delight
• Free
• Known
• Loved
• Child of the Day
• Saint
• Redeemed
• Masterpiece
• Bride
• Seen
• Strong
• Conqueror
• Justified
• Forgiven
• Workmanship
• Salt
• Precious
• Temple
• Anointed
• New Creation

The new creation identification is particularly relevant to this conversation because this description encompasses the whole idea that once we come as we are to Jesus, we leave forever changed. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). I don’t know about you, but there’s a whole lot of old that I both want and need to be done away with! I am evermore grateful that God is making me into a new person in Jesus.

And, that, my friends, is the topic for next time—new creations! Until then, please comment below or send me an email sharing the origin and meaning of your name. I’d be fascinated! And one more thing—to share or to journal just for you, which of the “Who I Am in Christ” names do you most resonate with and why? Which do you struggle to embrace or live out? Let’s grow and become together.

• What Is Your Name?
  Have you ever wanted to change your name? Maybe you no longer want to associate with who you were? Or maybe the meaning of your name makes you cringe because that description isn’t one you aspire to? How about the anticipation of taking on a married name? I recently read a book where a supporting… Read more: What Is Your Name?