Introduction
One of the more challenging aspects of having children is finding the right name for them. Parents use all sorts of methods to choose names—some focus on what sounds pleasant, others draw from biblical inspiration, while many incorporate names of beloved family members to preserve legacy and honor.
The challenge grows with each additional child, especially if the parents follow a particular theme—like starting each name with the same letter. This can become especially tricky when trying to find biblical names that are both meaningful and easy to pronounce.
Another approach parents often take is naming children after traits they hope their child will embody. For example, a parent who wants their son to grow into a strong man of God might give him the middle name Strong. On the other hand, naming a daughter Princess might reflect a desire (or joke!) to raise her as someone cherished and doted upon. While humorous, this tradition of naming with intention—reflecting positive character traits—is deeply rooted and longstanding across cultures.
Classifications and Titles
This idea of intentional naming highlights a deeper truth: names matter. Perhaps even more profound than naming our children is the reality that God has a name. Interestingly, the term God is not actually a name but a classification. It identifies God’s divine nature, setting Him apart from humanity or animals.
In addition to this classification, Scripture provides a multitude of titles for God. Consider the story in Genesis where Abraham is instructed to sacrifice Isaac. When God intervenes and provides a ram, Abraham responds by calling God Yahweh-Yireh, meaning The Lord Will Provide. This is just one of many such titles found throughout the Bible—each revealing something about God’s nature, character, or actions.
The Name of God
While the terms God and the various titles describe aspects of God’s nature, the Bible also reveals God’s personal name.
In Exodus 3, God commissions Moses to deliver His people from the oppression of Pharaoh. As Moses raises a series of objections, he finally asks a crucial question: “What if the people ask who sent me? What is Your name?”
God responds in verse 14:
“And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.”’”
Here, God reveals His personal name, rendered in Hebrew as ehyeh asher ehyeh—translated as I AM WHO I AM. The word ehyeh is a first-person singular imperfect verb, meaning “I am” or “I will be.” It is directly related to yhweh, which is a third-person singular imperfect verb, meaning “He is” or “He will be.” Later on this becomes formalized into the name Yahweh.
A helpful tip: whenever you see the word LORD in all capital letters in your Bible (as opposed to Lord), it is a translation of this personal name of God—Yahweh.
Conclusion
So, what’s in a name? For God, everything.
As discussed earlier, names often convey desired traits or characteristics—and Yahweh’s name is the perfect example. It’s not just a label; it’s a revelation of God’s eternal nature and His intimate involvement in the world.
Biblical scholar Douglas Stuart, writing in his commentary on Exodus, explains it this way:
“The name should thus be understood as referring to Yahweh’s being the creator and sustainer of all that exists and thus the Lord of both creation and history, all that is and all that is happening—a God active and present in historical affairs.” (Stuart, Exodus, p. 121)
In other words, God is ever-present, ever-engaged, and sovereign over all that takes place in the world and in the lives of His people. This truth was crucial for Moses to communicate to the Israelites—and it’s just as vital for us to understand and live by today.