First, write down EACH of your names. For instance, my first name is Becky, my middle name is Darlene, my maiden name is Sanders, and my married name is Dietz. So my full name is Becky Darlene Sanders Dietz. But since I believe that every name which comes into your life is significant, I'll also use my mother's maiden name, Childress. Becky Darlene Childress Sanders Dietz.
I'll google the meaning of each of these names. There are lots of baby name websites you can use. But usually if you google, "meaning of name ______" it will automatically pull up a meaning. So here we go!
Becky: snare, captivating
Darlene: darling, beloved
Childress: orphan, orphanage
Sanders: defender of mankind
Dietz: ruler of the people
Many of our last names (surnames) have come from a location or occupation. If there were lots of Beckys in an area, they would call me "Becky from the orphanage." That way, I would be singled out from "Becky from the meadow" and so on. My daughter's married name is Wright, which comes from an occupation. So that family was singled out from other families because they were craftsmen. The interesting thing is that even though a name comes from a location or occupation, it still has spiritual significance. For instance, a craftsman is a picture of someone who is creative and knows how to put things together--they can craft ironwork, wood, art, words. A spiritual craftsman might be someone who is able to take the Word of God and bring understanding to it. They may be able to lead and organize a ministry. You may have to research to understand what that name means--and ask the Holy Spirit, who is your teacher, to give you understanding.
Two of my names have a potentially negative meaning: Becky & Childress. And I can be both a snare or trap or act like an orphan--in the flesh. But when I walk in agreement with the Spirit of God, I am both captivating and an orphanage. So if your name has a negative meaning, realize that's who you are if you're not walking with God. But...God ALWAYS wants to turn it into a positive in your life.
So if I'm taking all of my names together and believing there's a story there (having asked the Holy Spirit for illumination), this is how it would read:
Becky, you are captivating. Your love for God draws others in. You've been chosen by God and dearly loved by Him. You are the apple of His eye. You once were an orphan (trapped in sin), but you were adopted by God Himself because He loved you even when you were unlovely. He took you in, loved you completely, and His love began to change you. You became a new person with a new name! God's love for you began to bloom in your heart and you blossomed into a well-loved child who matured and began to take others in. You became a safe place where others were nurtured. You've invested spiritually in dozens of lives--and turned other orphans' hearts towards a Father who loves them well. Not only did you become an orphanage--a place where spiritual children were nurtured, but you became a defender of mankind. You love BIG! You hate seeing people hurt or manipulated or put down. You will jump in to defend them. Darling girl, you will rule in the kingdom of God. You will rule well because you know what it's like to have nothing and to be left out. Your rule will always point to God--you're a true representative of Him, the King of kings. Your love will draw others into God's kingdom.
This is my story. It starts from when I was an "orphan"--but it grows into ruling in the kingdom of God. And every part of this story is true of me. It's my spiritual DNA. It was programmed into me when I was named. It's kind of like looking at an acorn--and knowing an oak tree is packed inside! God knew from before we were conceived what our name would be--and who we would be!
It's so interesting to take a name (even of someone I've never met) and being able to see who they are! We've lost this ability. In Hebrew & Greek, when a name was spoken, the meaning was spoken at the same time. Abram=exalted father. Sarai=princess. When Becky is spoken, a mental image of "captivating" should come to your mind. But the English language has lost that. I encourage you to research your name! Find out the meaning of your name. Discover your story!
