This is what makes a name special in the life of every individual

Everything on the planet Earth bears a name without which identification would have been very tough. Despite this truth, in cases where a human must name something, a level of knowledge, understanding and direction is needed to make the best choice that produces the results anticipated.

There was a man who was righteous before God and likewise his wife. A situation met them which is a lack of a child and they endured this for many years. They were not left alone by their Maker but help came for them as they continued to trust in His power. A name was chosen divinely to be given to this child because of what he carries and what he will do to fulfill his purpose. This story is from the Book of Luke chapter 1.

The name of the man is Zechariah, a priest and the wife is Elizabeth. The child is known as John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 This was the message delivered by the angel of God to Zechariah. 

Luke 1:13

[esv; But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, and you shall call his name John.]  

Going further, certain precepts were given to be followed that the purpose of God for John will be fulfilled and it became so as the precepts were duly obeyed.

What does the value of a name look like?

Observation of our environment as humans, a number of necessities that are fundamental for our survival have value in that without them living would be hard. Consider food for instance, though it is visible, the value therein is not something the eye sees but we know some value lies in there to support us with strength and a lot more. For a very long time in history, a name has been given to every newborn child of which the real importance might not be for identification. 

Basically, the populace has it that a name identifies an individual uniquely from another person. From a number of Bible accounts of giving names, the destiny or mandate of an individual can be seen in the name he or she bears. 

Look at the name Christ, John (John the Baptist), etc and you will find unity in the name they were given and the mandate they fulfilled. 

A traditional understanding of the value in a name

This belief is actually from a tribe in Ghana known as the Ewes. Read about some Ewe names and their meanings.

The people believe in good social behaviors and norms and in addition believe that newborn babies can grow up to follow after any member of the family. This means that a child can be born to resemble a relative either physically and aside this can also do what the person he or she resembles does. For this reason, when a baby is to be out doored, the relative to carry him on that day as part of the culture of a naming ceremony must be of good behavior that the child can emulate. From a child's behavior, the elderly can tell who exactly the child is emulating whether good or bad and so for a child to be given a name, it is well-thought-out and most importantly sort from the Maker. 

Nicknames and a.k.as (As known as or Also known as)

Youths tend to love choosing names for themselves which they refer to as nicknames and this is seen mostly from younger ages like early or late adolescent and many are ignorant of what implications lie therein. To be popular among friends they tend to choose anything to be addressed by without having the understanding of the power of names. As many say, word of mouth is a powerful tool of and things that keep proceeding out of it tend to become realities because of the power it holds. This is why a youth should be careful what name he chooses as a nickname or whatsoever.

How then is a name to be chosen?

God is our Maker and our ways are with Him and this brings the indication that even for a child to be given a name, prayer for revelation of what the child is to do will inform the name he or she must bear. It is more than just an identification but a powerful thing for the establishment of the future of a child.

A school bears the name Wisdom School and even though the school went through thick and thin from the onset, it has become one of the best schools where pupils gain wisdom to become well-established academicians and societal change agents all because wisdom is proclaimed or mentioned every day in the school.