Names

I wrote about Linden's name when my husband and I chose it and since that day I have wanted to put thoughts to paper, or screen, for my first two children.

Luke is our first son. When he was born we had been married for over eight years, hoping for a baby for over three, and decided upon the name Luke for a boy long before he was born. The name means light bearer. Luke will bear light for the Light of the world. We pray that Luke will live and move and have his being in the Light. Jesus said, "While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light." Not only is our Luke to be a son of Light but he is to shine for the glory of God that others too may become sons of Light.

The Luke of the Bible sets a stellar example of a light bearer. He authored the book in his name and the book of Acts. He was a physician and close companion to Paul. He carefully recorded details of Jesus' life and the early church. He wrote as a historian, presented facts, and gave straightforward arguments for the Light. He lived for the glory of God and used his skills and intellect to persuade others to do the same.

Our Luke's middle name is Owen. The meaning I looked up when we chose the name was young warrior, hence making Luke a young warrior for the light; a warrior engaged in battle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. The name Owen was also chosen because it is a family name from my husband's family. In that family line the name is representative of generations of men who loved and served God. These were our thoughts when naming Luke Owen. However, in preparing to write this post, I again looked up the name and became aware of yet another layer of meaning. One definition given for Owen is desire born. This is true too. He was the baby we hoped and prayed for, for so long. As a son he is exactly what my heart desires. He is an incredible gift and treasure. I do not doubt that he will grow into a man that is all God desires him to be and walks out the name, Luke Owen.

Our daughter is Liv. I had a name book in which Liv was a separate entry from other similar names and had its own meaning, different from the meanings of Olivia, Livia, or Olive. Liv means life and crown and covering. I love these three words as the definition of my daughter. Each of these three words is powerful on its own. Liv is full of life. She brings life everywhere she goes and to everyone she meets. Jesus is the resurrection and the life; the way, the truth, and the life. He came that we may have life, and have it abundantly. Liv will abide in Him, in ultimate life, and through her God will draw others to the same. A crown signifies honor and royalty. Liv is our princess and will live a life of honor . . . . likely to include being an excellent wife and crown to her husband (Proverbs). Covering or shield: God is a shield about Liv. She will be a covering to children and others who, physically or spiritually, come under her guidance and protection.

Liv's middle name is Anna. The name means gracious and merciful; definitely qualities I want in my daughter. In the Bible Anna was the first woman, other than Mary, to identify Christ. She knew her God, what He had promised, and recognized the Savior even as an infant. She was a prophetess. She worshiped God night and day; her life was devoted to Him, revolved around Him; He was her life.

He is the life. He is the light. He is the author and perfecter of both Luke's and Liv's faith. He created each individually and has good plans for them. I hope and expect to see my children become all that their names suggest. Not only will we do our best to be good stewards over them in raising them and praying for them, but also, words are powerful and therefore, names are powerful. God spoke the world into existence. His Word is living and active. His Word does not return void and accomplishes its purposes. We are created in His image and life and death are in the power of the tongue.


I am so thankful for the three gifts of Luke, Liv, and Linden and I'm thankful to have finally gotten the significance of each name into written word!