What's in a Name? A Personal Transition Reflection

For most of my life, I've been "Cathy."  Recently I decided to make a transition back to Catherine, my given name.  Not because I had a profound revelation.  It was more a longstanding desire that I finally acted upon.  It brought a gut level joy and excitement.  Excitement that it’s never too late to change.  Excitement because I think it’s a beautiful name.  Joy that it fits. 
 
I wanted to make the transition three times before.  In middle school I wanted to go by Catherine… but my new best friend was Catherine… so, in earnest middle school logic, I definitely couldn’t be Catherine.  The same logic held in high school.  When I went away to college, I wanted to transition to “Catherine.”  But soon I discovered more than embracing this change, I wanted familiarity and a sense of being known.  So Cathy it was.  Recently, as I was redoing some paperwork for the Soul Restoration Project, I thought, ‘this is it!  It’s time to go by Catherine.’ 

I was named Catherine after my paternal grandmother.  I have a lot of love and respect for her and I’m proud to have her name.    And, as my parents age, and as I appreciate the good of my heritage, I want to reclaim this part.  It was a gift to me from my parents, and ultimately a gift from God.

 

Names matter.  We know that intuitively.  Every parent I know is thoughtful about naming their child.  I also believe that somehow, whether God is intentionally sought for wisdom or not in naming, our Creator is at work.  God is at work, in partnership with parents, to name His children. And we have the opportunity to receive this gift and celebrate it.   

I’m curious about you.  What meaning does your name hold for you?  Do you think of your name as a gift?  I’d love to hear from you.