It Means What?!
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- Zanzi
- biogardener
- Kristen Cardozo
- biogardener
- ashtray1111
This archived discussion is "read only".
» biogardener - amazed
It never ceases to amaze me how people who know read the Bible and know what it says about the names Jacob (Jakob, James) still name their boys after the "deceiver, supplanter." I like to translate the name into modern English as "conman." Now, would anyone consider naming a baby "Conman?"The original "Jacob" was happy when he overcame his shortcomings and God gave him a new name, "Israel" meaning that he was strong wrestling God.
-- posted by biogardener
» Kristen Cardozo - Re: amazed
In response to message posted by biogardener:Well, as I was saying in the article, I don't think meaning is always the point, as the names become associated with people, rather than their original meaning. Very few of the Old Testament patriarchs are without something in the way of a negative association.
There are many forms of the name Jacob, including James, who was also the founder of the church after Jesus' death, according to many sources. I am not a Christian, but I do read the Bible and many other religious texts and histories in depth, and there are many admirable Jameses, Jacobs, and Jacobos to name a child after.
As it so happens, my eldest son is Gabriel Jacob. We chose the name quite purposely...he was a surprise, and surplanted the plans we'd made at that point in our lives. But as his first name indicates, he was a very welcome change to our lives.
A name's meaning has different connotations to different families. This is not to say meaning should not be considered at all, but to say that it isn't important to everyone. One of my favorite names, Marcus, refers to the Roman god of war, not the best connotation, in my opinion. But it also refers to a plethora of namesakes throughout history, such as Marcus Aurelius, Marcus Garvey, and many, many more. Besides that, it has a strong sound, which can go far for many parents.
All in all, I think names should be taken with a grain of salt. I have a hobby and penchant for names, and so can be a real name snob, but in the end, who a person is comes from somewhere else. Not that that will stop me from considering meaning when I name my own children!
-- posted by Kristen Cardozo
» biogardener - Nomen est omen
As the Romans said, "Nomen est omen." A name may mean many things to many people, yet it still holds the original prophetic meaning of the word, as you found out with your son. I am a philologist, and I cannot look at a person without thinking how the given name has impacted the life. I was trained in this all my life, and I see the meaning behind all words right back to its roots as far as I can trace them. I have never met a person whose life was not impacted by the given name, even when the meaning of the name was not known to the person until I revealed it.Yes, nomen est omen.
-- posted by biogardener
» ashtray1111 - hi
My sisters name is: Madison Bailey, I suppose this makes her mathew's son who is a bailiff? haha-- posted by ashtray1111
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