What’s the deal with names? Juliet famously pondered this in Romeo and Juliet, suggesting that names are merely labels. But really, what’s the purpose behind names, and what do they say about us? This week, I thought it would be interesting to dive into the meanings behind names, especially those of our website’s editors.
Let’s start with my name, Rebecca. It means to “snare” or “bring together” and has Hebrew roots, being mentioned in the Old Testament. Rebecca was the wife of Isaac and the mother of Esau and Jacob. Although praised for her beauty and kindness, Rebecca is known for tricking her blind husband, Isaac, into giving his blessing to her younger son, Jacob, instead of Esau. This might seem deceitful today, but back then, such actions were seen as clever and necessary for survival.
What do I think about being named after someone so cunning? Well, Rebecca was intelligent and determined to improve her people’s future, qualities that are still admirable. In today’s world, she might have been a successful businesswoman. So, I can’t complain too much.
Moving on to Amber and Autumn, these names are pretty straightforward. Amber refers to a gemstone created from fossilized tree resin and gained popularity after the 1944 novel “Forever Amber.” Autumn simply means the “season of harvest” we know as Fall.
Lastly, my middle name, Ilene, has Greek origins and is related to the name Helen. It means “light” and is associated with Helen of Troy, famously considered the most beautiful woman and central to the mythological Trojan War.
So, what does all this mean for me? Perhaps I’m a blend of light and cleverness, with a touch of beauty inspired by Helen of Troy. It’s fun to speculate. I suggest you take a moment to look up the meaning and origin of your name. You might uncover something fascinating.
What does your name mean? I’d love to hear about it!
