One of the exciting things about becoming a parent is thinking of names for the baby. Much time and thought is spent making the decision. Also, there is usually lots of input from family and friends about the baby’s name. Some families have long-standing traditions about naming children after relatives, living and deceased. Other couples pour over lists of most popular baby names that can be found according to specific years. There appear to be trends in naming children that include modern, traditional, ethnic and highly unusual names.

Celebrity name watch

Celebrities have become notorious for giving their children unusual and sometimes provocative names. They also carefully guard the prospective names of their children and then use press releases to formally announce the names. A recent example of this trend was the revealing of the names of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s twins.

According to TMZ, on June 26th legal documents were filed to secure the trademarks for the names of the twins: Rumi Carter and Sir Carter. The trademarks are for various items ranging from fragrances to hair ribbons. TMZ also revealed that the names for the children have a poetic background. Rumi was the name of a thirteenth-century Persian poet, and Sir is a name used in one of Rumi’s poems. Celebrity watchers and groupies waited with bated breath to learn the names of these famous twins.

The greatest name of all

Over two thousand years ago a baby was born in Bethlehem. There were no masses clamoring to know his name, yet he would change the world forever. There wasn’t then, nor is there now, a trademark on the name of Jesus. All who believe in him are welcome to call on and take his name while receiving all the benefits and blessings that come with it. And though there was no media frenzy waiting outside the manger for a first glimpse, someday all will bow to and confess the name above all names: Jesus.

Question of the day: Do you think names are important?
Focal scriptures: Genesis 32:24-28; Revelation 3:1-3; Luke 1:30-33

For a complete lesson on this topic visit LinC.