I really like to find out what people’s names mean. When I named my kids I paid particular attention to the meanings for their names, because I think it’s neat to have a legacy of sorts with the meaning of your name. In Biblical times, meanings of names were very important, they were a foreshadowing of what the person would become. One of my sister in laws asked me recently about my kids names and what they meant. I also chose verses for each of my children when they were born and I wrote each one in their baby book along with why we named them what we did. I will share them with you all, just in case you find names as interesting as I do.

Samuel Glenn: means “asked of God”

His verse is: “Before the year was out, Hannah had conceived and given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining, “I asked God for him.”1 Samuel 1:20

The explanation for his name:

We named you Samuel because we very much wanted a child and had a hard time getting pregnant. One day after praying and crying about it I told the Lord that if He would give me a son I would name him Samuel just as Hannah in the Bible had done. The next month we found out we were pregnant with you. I just knew you would be a boy and your name would be Samuel. Your middle name Glenn was given to you after your dad. There are five generations of men with the name Glenn in dad’s family.

Jordan Noel: means “down-flowing”

His verse: “Then Joshua addressed the people: “Sanctify yourselves. Tomorrow God will work miracle-wonders among you.”  Joshua 3:5

The explanation for his name:

We named you Jordan because shortly before we got pregnant mom was working part-time and she was very unhappy. She felt like the Lord was calling her to stay home full-time and raise her children. There was a sermon she heard about crossing the Jordan river and being obedient to God when he calls you to do something big. So, we took a leap of faith and mommy quit work in December. Then in January we found out we were expecting you a little earlier than we had planned. God knew ahead of time and led us in the right direction. Your middle name “Noel” we gave you in honor of mom’s father who died shortly before you were born. It was his middle name and his mother’s maiden name.

Joshua Eugene Tyrone: meaning “God is my salvation”

Bible verse: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Explanation for his name:

You were named Joshua by your birth aunt. She wanted you to have a name like your brothers, from the Bible. Joshua is a strong character in the Bible and you are such a strong boy. You beat all odds in the NICU being born early and you lived up to your name. This verse was put on your isolete in the hospital and we read it to you everyday. Your middle names are “Eugene” after mom’s grandfather. We wanted to give you a family name just like your brothers. And “Tyrone” after your birth uncle who passed away when he was a teenager. You were given that name by your birth aunt.

Elijah Kerr: meaning “the Lord is my God”

Bible verse: “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” I Kings 17:11

Explanation for his name:

We named you Elijah because he was a character in the Bible that Dad really liked. Elijah is a great man of God and he learned to hear God’s voice and follow him as we hope that you will. You were a baby given to us by God after much loss in our life. We learned that God speaks in a whisper at times and comforts the mourning. Psalm 126. Your middle name is “Kerr” after Dad’s grandfather. It was his middle name and also his mother’s maiden name. He was a great man of God.

And finally the name we have chosen for our daughter:

Elizabeth Ann: means “oath of God”

“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45

Explanation for her name: We named you Elizabeth because mommy always liked that name, but also because it was given to us by the Lord. The Lord promised us a daughter and told us her name would be Elizabeth. We waited a long time for you, but we held on to God’s promise that He would bring us a daughter and we are so excited to see what a Godly woman you will become. Your middle name “Ann” is a family name, it is the middle name of mommy and also your grandmother.