What's In a Name?

I have been thinking about and preparing this blog for a little while. The Bible study I am in has been focusing on Mary and Martha. I have been thinking about the meaning of their names since most names do have meaning... So I went to a website and found all kinds of names.

Martha means "mistress of the house" or "lady" in Aramaic. How fitting since Martha was consumed with keeping her house in order and not taking quiet time to reflect in the presence of Jesus.

The meaning of Mary is not known for certain, but there are several theories including "sea of bitterness", "rebelliousness", and "wished for child". However it was most likely originally an Egyptian name, perhaps derived in part from My "Beloved" or Mr "Love".

I couldn't stop there. I was thinking - I wonder how many of us live up to the meaning of our names. So... I looked up the meaning of my siblings and their husbands. I wonder if we live up to the meanings of our names. What do you think?

Catharine - The Romans associated it with Greek καθαρος (katharos) "pure" and changed their spelling from Katerina to Katharina to reflect this.
Grace - Means "grace" from the English word, which ultimately derives from Latin gratia.
Catharine Grace - Pure Grace! Kind of sounds like me, don't you think?!

Donald - From the Gaelic name Domhnall which means "ruler of the world", composed of the Old Celtic elements dumno "world" and val "rule".
Stewart - From an occupational surname originally belong to a person who was a steward. It derives from Old English stig "house" and weard "guard".
Donald Stewart - Ruler of the world and a house guard. He thinks he is anyway!

Joseph - From the Latin Iosephus, which was from the Greek Ιωσηφος (Iosephos), which was from the Hebrew name יוֹסֵף (Yosef) meaning "he will add".
Roy - Derived from Gaelic ruadh meaning "red".
Joseph Roy - He will add red. Add red to what?

Grace - Means "grace" from the English word, which ultimately derives from Latin gratia.
Evelyn - From a surname which was originally derived from the name AVILA. Originally derived from the Germanic element av which is of unknown meaning. However during medieval times the name became associated with Latin avis "bird".
Grace Evelyn - Grace bird. Sometimes she eats like a bird!

David - Possibly derived from Hebrew דוד (dvd) meaning "beloved".
Joseph - From the Latin Iosephus, which was from the Greek Ιωσηφος (Iosephos), which was from the Hebrew name יוֹסֵף (Yosef) meaning "he will add".
David Joseph - beloved who will add. Add what?!

Joanne - English form of Johanne, an Old French feminine form of Johannes (see JOHN). John itself derived from the Hebrew name יוֹחָנָן (Yochanan) meaning "YAHWEH is gracious".
Elizabeth - From Ελισαβετ (Elisabet), the Greek form of the Hebrew name אֱלִישֶׁבַע ('Elisheva') meaning "my God is an oath" or perhaps "my God is abundance".
Joanne Elizabeth - Yahweh is gracious, in abundance and an oath. Interesting.... :)

Stephen - From the Greek name Στεφανος (Stephanos) meaning "crown".
John - English form of Iohannes, which was the Latin form of the Greek name Ιωαννης (Ioannes), itself derived from the Hebrew name יוֹחָנָן (Yochanan) meaning "YAHWEH is gracious".
Stephen John - Crown of God's grace? This was a little trickier to put together...

Barbara - Derived from Greek βαρβαρος (barbaros) meaning "foreign".
Janine - Modern French form of Jehanne, an Old French feminine form of Johannes (see JOHN). John, itself derived from the Hebrew name יוֹחָנָן (Yochanan) meaning "YAHWEH is gracious".
Barbara Janine - foreign God is gracious? This is strange.

Michael - From the Hebrew name מִיכָאֵל (Mika'el) which meant "who is like God?". I like this one!

Richard - Means "brave power", derived from the Germanic elements ric "power, rule" and hard "brave, hardy".
Considering everything Rick has been through in his life he certainly has lived up to his name!

Here is the website I used: http://www.behindthename.com/