or What’s In A Name
There is a magic in names. People in show business know the importance of a name—how it sounds and looks in print is vital. Think of how many stars change their names to make them sound more catchy so they won’t be forgotten!
Centuries ago mothers and fathers chose their baby’s names with utmost care because in olden days your name was bound to you by lore, ritual, magic and usage.
In certain countries your name was your secret, never to be spoken before strangers unless some enemy was to use it to harm you. In other lands your name was so secret it could not even be spoken by your own father and mother. In Rome a name was well guarded so it could not be used by the unfriendly for black magic.
The Chinese gave their babies unpleasant names that would not tempt the envy of the gods. With the same hope of protection, parents in other lands named their babies for the pagan gods, mighty heroes, powerful animals and, eventually, for saints.
Names, definitely, have special meanings. Perhaps, you’ve got a name that is totally wrong for you. Who knows! At any rate, just for fun we’ve looked up what the real names of some of your faves mean. You’ll be surprised at the true Christian definitions of some. Take a look and have a ball!
DAVID THOMAS JONES
David—“beloved”
Thomas—“a twin”
PETER HALSTEN THORKELSON
Peter—“a stone”
Halsten—family name
GEORGE MICHAEL DOLENZ, JR.
George—“a farmer or husband”
Michael—“who is like God”
ROBERT MICHAEL NESMITH
Robert—“bright in fame”
Michael—“who is like God”
SAMANTHA DOLENZ
Samantha—“the listener”
PHYLLIS ANN NESMITH
Phyllis—“a green bough”
Ann—“grace”
LEONARD (LEN) WHITING
Leonard—“lion strong”
NANCY SINATRA
Nancy—“grace”
WARREN BEATTY
Warren—“a game warden”
DONOVAN LEITCH
Donovan—“prince of the universe”
BARRY ALLEN GIBB
Barry—“looking straight at the mark”
Alan—“the comely and fair, harmony”
MAURICE ERNEST GIBB
Maurice—“the dark”
Ernest—“the earnest”
ROBIN HUGH BIGG [sic]
Robin—“bright in fame” (from Robert)
Hugh—“mind”
COLIN PETERSEN
Colin—“a cub, whelp or young animal”
VINCENT KEVIN MELOUNEY
Vincent—“to conquer”
Kevin—“the gentle and beloved”
MARK ALLEN LINDSAY
Mark—“a warrior”
Allen—a family name
PAUL REVERE
Paul—“the little”
JOSEPH CORRERO, JR.
Joseph—“he shall add”
CHARLES FRANKLIN COE
Charles—“the strong or manly”
Franklin—“not in bondage, a free man”
WILTON FREDERICK WELLER
Wilton—“from the well or willow farm”
Frederick—“powerful, rich, peace”
WILLIAM ERNEST JOSEPH HINSCHE
William—“resolute protector”
Ernest—“the earnest”
Joseph—“he shall add”
DESIDERIO ALBERTO ARNAZ, JR.
Desiderio—“the desired”
Alberto—“nobly bright”
DEAN PAUL ANTHONY MARTIN, JR.
Dean—“a chief or ecclesiastical head”
Paul—“the little”
Anthony—“the inestimable”
JOHN LENNON
John—“God is gracious”
PAUL MCCARTNEY
Paul—“the little”
RICHARD STARKEY “RINGO”
Richard—“the rich and hard”
GEORGE HARRISON
George—“farmer or husband”
SALLY MARGARET FIELD
Sally—“princess”
Margaret—“a pearl”
WALTER KOENIG
Walter—“ruling the host”
GOLDIE HAWN
Goldie—“most precious metal”
Jeanne—“God is gracious”
LUCIE ARNAZ
Lucie—“light”
VINCENT JOHN CAVARETTA, JR. (JIMMY)
Vincent—“to conquer”
John—“God is gracious”
Jimmy—“the supplanter”
CHRISTOPHER FRANK JONES
Christopher—“bearing Christ”
Frank—“the free”
CHERLYN BONO (CHER)
Cherlyn—“the cherished and beloved”
ROBERT (BOBBY) SHERMAN
Robert—“bright in fame”
