Gods and Goddesses

[littleone]

If your parents named you after a God or a Goddess would you change your name?
I ask because I am in that predicament.My parents did that and now that I am saved I resent my name and it's meaning.Sometimes when I meet Christians that know what it means they comment on my name in a negative way and look at me weird like I named myself and I end up feeling so ashamed.I don't know what to do. Should I change it or just accept it and move on?
I am leaning towards changing it because of the reaction I get plus I know what you are called is a big deal in the Bible and when I researched my name's meaning....that Goddess was not cool (except to the unsaved people I meet that know what it means).
I really would like to know what many of you would do if you were in my place or any advice/suggestion would be great.Thanks.

[littleone]

Any help anyone?

[krazeeboi]

To be honest, I'm not sure what I would do in this situation. But this really isn't uncommon. Think of Apollos in the Bible; he was a Christian with the name of a Greek god, yet we don't read anything about him changing his name. Really seek the counsel of the Lord and your pastor on this one.

[keita nsi]

Littleone,

Your post really moved me because (although for reasons that are somewhat different from yours), I was often embarassed by my birth name. For the most part, I make do with my nickname and very few people even know my birth name. Believe me, there have been many times when I considered legally changing my name but didn't, mostly because it is an old family one and I didn't want to insult or hurt momma and 'em. But truthfully, I never once even considered asking God about it.

So, I think that's excellent advice KB is offering.

As I've thought about your post, Jabez, too, came to mind.

In doing a little digging, I also learned something that was interesting to me, so I'll share it with you. That is, in the scriptures, one who changes the name of another is always in authority over them.

Finally, I have found encouragement in the scriptures which promise that one day God will give me a new name. I can't wait!

[Misskaylandernsi]

Good advice Keita...you expressed that beautifully...

[keita]

Thanks, Misskay!

Now, let's pray that it helps littleone in some way.

[auneeqsol]

I like that response KB gave, because even looking at Apollos , he sure did change the leagacy (in a sense) of that name. When ppl seen him coming they probably didnt focus on his name after they heard his message, because he lifted up the name of Jesus with his lifestyle, making the popular name be the name of a person who is Bringing glory to God.

So I say that it's not all in the name, but let your works speak for you, and they will know you for who you represent, and then they will see no matter what her name is she is coming in the NAME of JESUS!!!

That's just a lil something I thought about after reading KB's response.

Be encouraged, you are representing a name that is above every other name!!!

[keita nsi]

Grace and Peace, Saints!

I came across an article today and I wanted to share an excerpt because it reminded of this thread:

"...I was about to speak to a meeting of several hundred people when the Lord directed me to a young woman in the middle aisle. I asked her to stand up. As she did, God showed me a picture of a hazel tree. I knew the type of tree it was, because my father and I had been landscape gardeners. All I had was this picture, so I asked the Lord, "What do you want to say?" There was nothing, so I started in with what I knew: "I'm seeing a picture of a hazel tree." I said, and then I began to describe its properties from memory." It has beautiful flowers and fruit. It can grow almost anywhere. It's resistant to disease, and its bark and flowers can be used for medicinal purposes, as a tonic or a sedative that brings comfort from pain. It's very hardy and resilient."

As soon as I came to the end of that statement, I knew what God wanted to do. "That's how God sees you," I continued, "He thinks you're beautiful and that you're going to bear good fruit in your life. You mustn't worry that you're no good. You're tough and able to resist the enemy. You'll grow in almost any situation." As I moved prophetically, she cried, and her friends cheered and laughed.

I finished prophesying, prayed for her, and taught my seminar. At the end of the meeting, she came to me." Thanks for what you said. You don't know this, but my name is Hazel," she told me. Apparently, that same afternoon, she and her friends had been drinking tea, and Hazel had been in a bad mood. "Hazel. Stupid name, Hazel," she had said. "Why couldn't I have been called by a prettier name? I hate it, and I wish I could change it."

God, in His incredible sense of humor, had used me to say, "Excuse me, but I chose your name. I gave it to you, and I gave it to you for this purpose." She told me that she had cried, because she realized that her name had been given to her for a reason. When she was in the womb, God had named her Hazel. What a powerful word from a perfectly ordinary and common source..."

Graham Cooke

[stillfocused]

Littleone..

I, too hated my first name..because I couldn't find it on anything. People changed my name to fit whatever joke that came to mind.. I could type them all here..but, I won't !! All that changed one day when I walked into a Christian bookstore and found my name on name cards and a bookmarker..I quickly fell in love with the Christian meaning for my name..and soon found myself loving my whole birth given name... Keita and Krazeeboi..have given you wonderful advice. And finally my son has a very unique first name..as it was made up it to me it had no meaning. So, when he asked me what it meant..I quickly on spot made up something and hoped that he would accept that. Many years later when I moved to the city he was stationed in..I went to the mall and stopped at one those vendors who sells from carts. And he happened to sell the meaning of names..when I asked him to do his name..the meaning was exactly what I had told him as a child..."a good friend". I said all this to say...many know that when children were named in the Bible..it often times spoke to the character of the child, and as already mentioned even Jabaz's name meant something..totally from his character..he knew what it meant..but, he did not allow that to stop from seeking, asking, and receiving the blessings of the Lord..of all his brothers he was more honorable.

[littleone]

Thank you all so much for your responses. Your stories meant a lot and all your advice was helpful. I will continue to ask God to help me bear my name more willingly.