What’s in a name?

“Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, ‘Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas’ (which means ‘Peter’)” (John 1:42).

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on how long it’s taken me to appreciate my own name.  

It’s a funny story: When my mom was pregnant with me, my parents were so convinced that I was going to be a boy that they picked out the name Samuel months in advance. Once I was born (and they got over their surprise), a quick search through a Korean name book brought them to Daneem, a variation of the word for “moon.” My mom later told me that it was their hope that I would be a bright light in this dark world. And while I came to appreciate their thoughtfulness, I grew up wishing I had a different name.  

For most of my life, my name seemed like an inconvenience. I was always correcting people that no, my name wasn’t Janine or Nadine. Signing emails with my name didn’t seem to matter because I’d receive messages back addressed to Denem or Dineen. My experience has taught me the importance of learning someone’s name. That includes taking the time to spell and pronounce it correctly rather than dismissing it as “different” or “difficult.” Calling someone by name shows respect and appreciation for the person God made them to be.

In the Bible, names and name changes are significant, sometimes reflecting a person’s character or God’s calling in their life. We see this in Genesis when Abraham’s and Sarah’s names were changed to reflect their covenant with God and His plan to establish the nation of Israel through them. We know that Saul became Paul after encountering Jesus, and he stopped persecuting Christians and was used by God to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. 

Another person who comes to mind is Peter, a disciple of Jesus who was known for his outspoken and impulsive nature—as well as for all the times he’d put his foot in his mouth. We may be quick to judge him by his failures—most notably denying Jesus three times before He died on the cross. However, in John 1:42, we see that Jesus changed his name from Simon to “Cephas” or “Peter,” which means “rock.” It’s important to note that this new name was given to Peter when he and Jesus first met, even before he became the disciple we know him to be. It was before all the mistakes and growing pains. Later in the book of Acts, we get to see exactly what Jesus saw in Peter: a leader who helped found the early church, becoming a “rock” for the other believers during times of trouble and persecution. His story reminds us that despite our shortcomings, or what we may be “known” for, God sees our potential even before we do. 

His story reminds us that despite our shortcomings, or what we may be “known” for, God sees our potential even before we do. 

In Ephesians 2:10, Paul echoes this truth: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus to do the good things He planned for us long ago.” We are “masterpieces” because of our new identity in Christ, even if we don’t feel like we are. God is molding us and preparing us for the “good things” He’s called us to do. 

Do you believe that Jesus sees something in you? That He’s chosen you for a unique purpose in this life? Like Peter, God calls us by name, inviting us to be who He says we are. 

Daneem Kim serves as a youth leader at Maine Street Baptist Church in Brunswick, Maine.