Over the last few weeks I’ve been doing a series of the names of each of our children and the meanings behind them.
Names obviously are important for your children and as a new parent it is one of the biggest and most important decisions you face. Hands down.
But have you ever researched your own name and pondered what God might have to say to you about YOU?
You see, several years ago I was in sort of an identity crisis. At war with myself and who I was at my core verses what I felt certain voices in books and teachings I had been reading and listening to were telling me was the proper role for a woman. Until one day…
I sat down to do my quiet time one morning. I had been doing a study on the names of several Old Testament saints…all female…
And a thought occurred to me…what does my name mean?
I remembered a beautiful young Jewish girl I went to school with named Liat. Everyone used to always confuse our names! So I went about tying to find the meaning of Liat. Interestingly, the Hebrew language words and even its letters are often accompanied by pictures to help decode the meanings. The photo next to Liat was one of a father holding his little girl in his arms and looking lovingly into her eyes. The meaning was “you are mine.”
My middle name is Carla, which I learned that morning meant “strong woman.”
My full name is Lyette Carla Reback. Which apparently means that God created me to be a strong minded woman and He loves me just they way I am…just the way He created me.
Sounds simplified but quite honestly it was a discovery that freed me to be the person I had been trying to hide. Trying to keep under wraps. Trying to fit into someone else’s mold.
My hope in writing this to you is that if you are facing some sort of inside questioning, some sort of confusion as to who you are or who God created you to be, then maybe with a little research and some digging you can get some clarity. I know that morning I came downstairs ready to rumble. That discovery gave me courage I had previously lost because I had believed a lie. And maybe sometimes we don’t have to look any further than what we’ve been called our whole lives. Because something as simple and as important as a name simply can’t be a mistake.
Jenny says
Ok. So I googled “Jenny meaning”. The first site that popped up said “female donkey or ass”. I think I better keep looking! Ha! Thought you’d get a kick out of that.
Lyette Reback says
That is HILARIOUS! Sorry, you made me totally snarf my drink! Well I know you are a darn sight better than a female donkey! Bless you babe and all the best!
Mallory says
My name means “misfortune and bad luck” which is pretty funny! God has definitely brought me through a whole host of trials that the world would consider “bad luck” but I know otherwise! I feel like the most blessed woman in the world! Nevertheless, I researched the meanings of my children’s names long and hard before they were born (and ones that we’re still considering for future ones!) So far we have Eden (paradise), Ila (island) and Ted (gift of God). Much better than my own ?
Lyette Reback says
Well, Mallory…my thought is, search until you find a meaning you LIKE, and if not, then just make up your own! I love all of those names you listed for your children! God bless!
Rachel says
My name means “lamb” and “consecrated to God”. I grew up knowing what my name meant and it was important to my husband and I that we named our children names that had meaning. Our oldest is Aubrianna Genevieve. It means “Noble, graceful” and “Ruler of the people”. Our son is Jace William. It means “the Lord has healed” and “strong willed warrior”. Our youngest’s name is a combination of her birth mother’s name and my own. Rochelle Elyse, means “little rock” and “consecrated to God”.
Lyette Reback says
What beautiful stories and thank you so much for sharing!!!
Michelle Wiginton says
OK…Michelle Louise means “who is like God” and “Famous warrior/Long held”…wow! A lot to live up to…
Lyette Reback says
And you do so just beautifully!