What’s in a name?
More than 150 years ago, when European surveyors were attempting to map the primary geological features on Earth, they did their best to retain the names that locals had historically assigned to particular mountains, rivers, and valleys.
The exception was an unusually high mountain in the Himalayas that the British called Peak XV (that is, number 15).
Tibetan natives had long called it Chomolungma. Residents of the Indian town of Darjeeling knew it as Deodungha (“Holy Mountain”). In certain Chinese texts it was identified as Shenmu Feng (“Holy Mother Peak”).
Because of the seeming chaos, British cartographers decided to name it after one of their own: Sir George Everest.
No one at the time had any idea that Peak XV, or Mt. Everest, would turn out to be the tallest mountain in the world.
Everest, for his part, had no real interest in receiving such an honor. Even though he had spent years working as a surveyor in India, he was never within sight of the Himalayas. In other words, Everest never even saw the mountain that bears his name.
Then there’s the matter of pronunciation. We call the mountain EV-eh-rest, while George identified himself as EVE-rest. It does seem ironic that one of the most spotlighted places on earth is named for someone who never even laid eyes on it, and is mispronounced to boot.
So what’s in a name?
Names were serious business in the ancient world. They were thought to reveal something of the character, identity, and even the destiny of those who bore them. Therefore they were chosen with great care.
An honorable name could declare a noteworthy heritage, virtuous character, and a hopeful destiny. On the flip side, a name that fell into dishonor could heap shame and reproach on one’s reputation.
What about your own name?
You can go with the one you received at birth. Most people do, even if they sometimes wonder about Mom and Dad’s intentions.
Or you can change it. Reginald Dwight became Elton John. Joaquin Bottom morphed into Joaquin Phoenix – no doubt a wise marketing move. Jennifer Anastassakis opted for Jennifer Anniston – which was easier for her friends to remember. Maurice Micklewhite chose Michael Caine – he had grown up loving The Caine Mutiny. And Marion Morrison became John Wayne – “The Duke” should definitely not be named Marion.
On the other hand, you might identify yourself with some kind of hidden personal descriptor – a dark name you would never actually speak aloud. Perhaps you secretly know yourself as Hopeless, I’ll-Prove-All-You-Jerks-Wrong, or Worthless.
Or you can go with one of the names that someone else – perhaps a parent or an ex or a boss or a bully – hung on you somewhere along the way: Failure, Slacker, Second Place, Not-As-Pretty-As-Your-Sister. You can cringe every time you look at what certain reckless people have chosen to call you on social media.
During the time of the prophet Isaiah, the people of Israel pictured themselves as losers in the Name Game. They felt hopeless and abandoned. They answered to Ruined and Rejected.
In a touching passage, however, God speaks these amazing words to his people: “Regarding Zion, I can’t keep my mouth shut, regarding Jerusalem, I can’t hold my tongue … You’ll get a brand-new name straight from the mouth of God … No more will anyone call you Rejected, and your country will no more be called Ruined.”
“You’ll be called Hephzibah (My Delight), and your land Beulah (Married), because the Lord delights in you” (Isaiah 62:1-4, The Message).
It matters what name we bear.
You can give yourself a new name. Or you can go with what others call you.
Or you can conclude that God alone knows who you really are, and has the right to declare your identity, character, and destiny.
Whatever name you choose to answer to will almost certainly determine the shape of your life.
Just know this: God called his chosen people My Delight. And if you have thrown in your lot with Jesus, and have taken his name to yourself (“Christian”), then you, too, are one of his Chosen People.
Which means that today, in one crucial respect, you’re just like Mt. Everest.
Because of the love and grace of God, you’re on top of the world.
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