What’s in a name?

Posted by Joe Thorn - 23/01/08

Jen and I have always wanted a large family. We talked about the ideal number for us being 5 or so kids. Turns out God had other plans. Conception is difficult for us, and when Jen carries a baby, it is always considered “high risk.” After having two, and no sign of a third on the way, we tried to adopt internationally. Our family/home situation changed when we moved my parents in with us (My father has Huntington’s Disease and will need full time care eventually). This derailed our investment in and work toward adoption. We continued to pray for more children and God answered our prayer back in August - we are expecting our third.

Kat LaughingWhen Jen and I had our first child we were kind of hoping for a boy. God blessed us with a little girl. Katherine Elizabeth was the first baby I ever held in my life, and she is amazing: extremely creative, funny, sensitive to the needs of others, and smart. After Katherine, I was ready to have nothing but girls. Then God gave us a son. Elias Keach is all boy: tough, smart, funny, and part ninja. Having one of each put us in a situation where we had no real preference concerning gender when we found out a few months ago that Jen is expecting again. Yesterday the docs told us we are having another girl! We are so blessed and truly marvel at how good God is to us.

@ Millennium ParkNow we’re just working on a name. This is something we take pretty seriously. Katherine was given her name in honor of Katherine Parr and Katherine von Bora, wife of Martin Luther. Elias was named after Benjamin Keach’s son. We have a few ideas for the newest addition, but would love to hear your thoughts. We have considered many options, and talk to the kids about it quite a bit. So far, my son’s suggestion “Queen of Wonder” is the most awesome name suggestion, but I doubt that we’ll go with it. I was thinking of naming her “Steve,” since he’s the coolest chick I know, but I don’t think Jen will go for it. So, what’s your favorite girl names that have cool historical background or meanings? Any names to avoid because they mean something horrible? We appreciate the input!

25 Comments

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  1. Stay away from Jezebel. It has some negative connotations. However, it you followed it with a middle name like Queen of Wonder it might balance it out.

    Seriously though. Congratulations, May God give you and your wife wisdom as you raise up your three beautiful children.

    Comment by Micah — January 23, 2008 #

  2. I suggest “Lisa” or “Amber.”

    Comment by Steve McCoy — January 23, 2008 #

  3. As long as you don’t use a made-up name like “LaQuisha” or “LaQuanda” or one of those add-on type names like “DeRon” or “JaJuan” you’ll be fine.

    We’re naming our first (IF it comes out a girl, we’re being surprised) Grace Elizabeth.

    Comment by Stephen Newell — January 23, 2008 #

  4. Steve, you can never again complain about me making inside jokes in the comments on your blog.

    Comment by Joe Thorn — January 23, 2008 #

  5. Congrats, Joe. That’s great news.

    Comment by Tim — January 23, 2008 #

  6. Congratulations!! I am really excited for you both. I’m going to suggest Ann for Ann Judson. I’ve never enjoyed reading a biography more than hers. I know it’s not fancy but she is a very godly person to look up to.

    Comment by Heidi Johnson — January 23, 2008 #

  7. Congrats, Joe! I would avoid any name that can also be a fruit or flower. Just sayin’.

    Comment by Scott — January 23, 2008 #

  8. Joe, I found your site as I was preaching on the seven deadly sins. Your thoughts have been quite helpful. This is my first post. Congrats to you on this wonderful gift from God. He likes to surprise us doesn’t he? I have two girls (& two boys). Their names are Maggie Rose and Eden Elizabeth. We picked Maggie to honor two Scottish Margarets from the 17th century who gave their lives as testimony to Jesus’ rule over the nations - Margaret McLauchlan, an aged widow, and Margaret Wilson, a young girl, who were drowned in the tide at Wigton. Rose is a family name. We picked Eden because we liked it, and she is a delight as her name denotes. Elizabeth was the daughter of John Knox and wife to John Welch.

    There’s no higher honor than to name something. Choose carefully and prayerfully.

    Pete

    Comment by Pete Smith — January 23, 2008 #

  9. Karis = Grace

    Comment by Matt Adair — January 23, 2008 #

  10. Congratulations Joe. We had a daughter last August, our third as well, and named her Hosanna Grace. Hosanna was the idea of her then four year old big sister. I was leaning toward naming her Perpetua after the third century martyr from Carthage, but my wife seemed to think that other kids might make fun of her.
    Keep up the great work on the blog and may the Lord bless your family and ministry.

    Comment by Matthew — January 23, 2008 #

  11. Scott said “I would avoid any name that can also be a fruit or flower. Just sayin’.”

    And I’d add to that, avoid the names of seasons, months, and days. (No offense to any Junes, Summers, or Tuesdays who may be reading.)

    As you know, Joe, we named our second son Caleb. I was resistant to that name, because my first encounter with that name came from a song, “Caleb Meyer,” by Gillian Welch. A great song. …about a would-be rapist who was killed in self defense. But of course, I now know of a Caleb in the past worth remembering:
    “But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land …”

    As for a girl’s name, I’d go with April. Oh wait, no I wouldn’t…

    Comment by Chris W — January 24, 2008 #

  12. Corrie…. after Corrie Ten Boom (Dutch Christian Holocaust survivor)

    Comment by Tammy — January 24, 2008 #

  13. Congratulations, friend! It’s awesome when God answers prayers. And we’ll keep Jen and baby’s health in our prayers.

    Comment by Chad — January 24, 2008 #

  14. Oh yea, and I sugggest Phyliis Ruth…

    After a favorite song of mine, by 16 Horsepower.

    Comment by Chad — January 24, 2008 #

  15. Joe,

    We are expecting a girl in April, and like yourself, my wife’s pregnancy is a bit of a miracle.

    Just so you know, we’re having trouble picking out a girl name.:p The boy names came easy for us, I have no idea why. But for some reason I am obsessed over the perfect name for baby girl.:) I’ll be watching this with interest…not to steal your name, of course, but maybe get ideas from your left-overs.:) (I don’t think my wife would go for Steve either;P)

    Comment by Brad Williams — January 24, 2008 #

  16. Rose Thorn would sound like a Sci Fi warrior princess. When we’ve picked names we always try to make sure the initials don’t spell anything –grade school is tough enough as it is. –and we try to stay out of the top ten. We also failed to look up the meaning of a name once. Won’t do that again.

    Elizabeth, Abigail, and Deborah are all good Bible names in my book.

    Comment by Josh — January 24, 2008 #

  17. How about Slusho?

    Comment by Terry J — January 24, 2008 #

  18. I second Chad (kinda). I named my daughter “Ruth Elizabeth.” Even though she calls herself “Rooey,” the name Ruth is awesome. It’s making a comeback… for obvious reasons (see Old Testament).

    Comment by JJ — January 24, 2008 #

  19. I just wanted to chime in to say that I like Amber too. Steve, I remember your rationale. ;)

    Comment by Timmy Brister — January 24, 2008 #

  20. How about Thora Thorn or Lorna Thorn? Or maybe something crazy like Barb Thorn. My personal fav at this point would be Lottie Moon Thorn. A close second is Olivia Sadie Hawkins Thorn (or O.S. Hawkins Thorn).

    While this is so much fun, let me actually be serious for a moment. I don’t care what you name her. I just want her name to be healthy.

    Comment by Steve McCoy — January 24, 2008 #

  21. Lauren Thorn, but when pronouncing her name, Thorn must be a 2-syllable word.

    Come to think of it, you went with Elias when you coulda gone with Bjorn. Lost an opportunity there, didn’t ya. (nuthin’ like wastin’ bandwidth)

    Comment by Chris W — January 25, 2008 #

  22. There’s always Stephanie if you’ve just got to name her after Steve.

    Comment by Josh — January 25, 2008 #

  23. Oh hey, “Caleb Meyer” by Gillian Welch.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nugXkgd_-84&feature=related

    THIS is how I first learned of the name Caleb.

    Comment by Chris W — January 25, 2008 #

  24. Mozel tov.

    Our son is named after both of his grandfathers, James (Jimmy), but we had Hannah Grace picked out from when we first got married. Hannah for the widow who prayed day and night in the temple and recognized Christ as a baby, and Grace for, well, Grace.

    Jen just went on the prayer list. Blessings. I praise God for His goodness to you.

    Comment by Art Rogers — January 25, 2008 #

  25. Thanks Art - and everyone. We appreciate it.

    Comment by Joe Thorn — January 25, 2008 #

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