When I was born, Larry was a fairly popular name. It was the 38th most chosen name for boys born that year in the United States.
By 2009 it had dropped down to 385thplace.
That’s understandable. After all, it seems like whenever a Larry shows up in a movie or TV show these days, he’s somebody’s lazy, womanizing, beer-guzzling brother-in-law who is out of work and needs a place to stay for a few weeks. Not exactly a character you’d want to share a moniker with.
Today’s names seem to be a lot different than the ones that they handed out when I was a kid. When I was born the popular boy names were traditional and safe, like Michael, David, James and John. A lot of today’s seem to be one-syllable words that are both noun and verb: Chase, Gage, Grant, Chance, Cash, Drew, Lance, Pierce…you get the idea.
Back in Biblical times, names were very important and full of meaning. Sometimes people’s names were even changed by God to reflect their situation. Abram became Abraham, or “father of many”. Sarai became Sarah. Jacob became Israel, meaning “he struggles with God”. Simon became Peter, or “rock”. Saul became Paul. Naomi, “pleasant”, changed her own name to Mara, “bitter”.
Though it’s almost impossible to say it in a way that sounds suave and alluring, I’ve grown attached to my name, and plan to keep it. Larry comes from “laurel”, which I’ve been told was “conferred as a mark of honor in ancient times upon poets, heroes, and victors in athletic contests”. Not too shabby.
But if I were ever forced to pick another name for myself, I think it would be Ian (meaning “gift from God”). Not that I think I’m God’s gift…it’s just that any Ian I’ve ever known has been really cool. When I think of a name, often images pop up of people I’ve known that share it. Sometimes it can make or break the name for me.
Oh, and in the unlikely event that I become a world famous hip hop artist? Just call me Cool Cool LJ.
How about you?
What does your name mean?
If you were asked to pick another name, what would it be? Why?
David Rupert (3)
Dallas Plumber (1)
Elizabeth Birak (1)
Jan Moyer (1)
Karl Grey (1)
Liz McLennan (1)
Raj (1)
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Larry, my name, first of all is translated John from Spanish to English. Juan means “God is gracious”. I just Googled it
Never even thought about what my name meant before this post, which is kind of odd. By the way, you may not be a gift from God – but you are. But I bet your wife thinks you are gift to her : )
Juan Cruz Jr recently posted..Prioritize – Separate the goats from the sheep
Hmm…I’ve never thought of it that way before, Juan. My wife is definitely a gift from God to me. I do my best to have her feel the same about me!
I’ve always thought names were important too. Our children are all named after family, people my husband and I love and respect. We took a lot of time deciding on the right name for each of them. Our daughter Analyn is named after my great-grandmother and my husband’s mother (Anna & Linda), the name Analyn means grace. Our daughter Halia is named after my step-dad who passed away before she was born (Halia means remembrance of a loved one). Our son Clark is named after my grandfather and brother. Clark means man of learning. Ironically, our adopted son’s biological mother named him after my husband (Joh-Nathan). If I was going to rename myself it would have been Anna, so it’s really no surprise that I have a daughter with that name. I have a strong distaste for my given name. If I was going to change it today I guess I’d change it to Eve, because it feels like I have a lot of kids- ha!
Jennifer Dawn McLucas recently posted..Worship
Wow, you sure have put a lot of thought into your children’s names, Jennifer. We were actually going to name our daughter Jennifer, but when she was born we decided that she was Stephanie. Our middle son was impulsively named Zachary. Funny how some names just seem to pop up and suit the person perfectly. I love how you were able to combine two names to form one with Analyn. I’m so glad you stopped by!
My name (William ugh!) means “Resolute Protector” but I am sure my folks never gave that any thought. My dad’s first name is William. We had no significance when we named our girls. I named our first after 3 days (Tamra so she would get Tami) and Janna (with two n’s although my wife thought it would only have one). If we had boys they were going to be named Joshua David or Jason Paul. Don’t know why…just liked them.
bill (cycleguy) recently posted..Wounded
Yep, we didn’t really consider what our children’s names meant when we named them, either. They just really seemed to suit them. Our youngest, Jacob, was named after a favorite relative of mine (my Dad’s uncle), but the others were simply names that we liked, no other reason. Thanks, Bill!
I love name stories. I don’t think I’ve ever known another Larry.
I talk about naming my kids in my book. I’ve also blogged about having a last name like “Shirtliffe.” Yes, you can imagine the fun. http://ironicmom.com/2011/06/08/whats-in-a-name/
Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom) recently posted..Bizarre Parenting Strategies That Just Might Work
Thanks for the link, Leanne. If anyone reading this hasn’t visited Leanne Shirtliffe ~ Ironic Mom yet, you must do that now. You will be glad you did!
Ooh yeah, I can imagine there would be an added dimension to naming twins. When is your book going to be available for purchase?
I love my name – love the sound of it being said, called, whispered. id did go through a phase during childhood when I really, really, REALLY wanted to be called Cassandra, but that passed as I came out of my “Little House on Prairie-obsessed” period. Phew.
My name, “Elizabeth” means “God’s daughter” which I find apt because I truly believe that He chose my parents specifically for me – and chose my bio-mother to give birth to me and my mum to raise me.
These days, I do sometimes wish that my name was Joanna – John for short. Then we’d have….wait for it….
Matthew, Mark, Luke….and John.
No explanation needed.
Liz McLennan recently posted..The Right to Bear Arms…
Ooh, you’d have all four gospels under one roof. Sweet!
I appreciate your LHOP period, Liz. I’m thankful I got over my Waltons phase and wanting to be called “John Boy”.
My name means “handsome.”
Kevin Martineau recently posted..The power of water is in your hands
A perfect match, then!
My name means ‘youthful one’ which I am glad for since it appears to have translated into less wrinkles! But still getting grey hair! If I could change my name, it would be to use one of my middle names ‘Catherine’ or ‘Margaret’. There have been many women through my life with either name who embodied qualities I admire (love of life, family, respect for others, honoring God in their lives). I would love to use either name to show my admiration for these women. (Larry is a good name!)
How awesome that someone can have such a positive effect that their name carries the weight of their accomplishments before them. Thank you, Julie!
My name is actually Kevin Curtis, and it means kind and courteous. I like going by the initials K.C. because it’s what my dad has called me since I was 10 years old.
If I had to change my name (like for witness protection) I like Reuben.
ThatGuyKC recently posted..4 Crucial Components to Communicating Change
Ah yes, names can also remind us of the person who gave them, and how much they mean to us.
Reuben, that was my grandfather’s name. Great name, and great sandwich too!
Great post, Larry; a lot of food for thought! I believe Carol means “song” and “champion”. I’m not the best singer, but I love my tunes; not necessarily a champion, but may be to those I love. I googled more about my name and found this: “SoulUrge Number: 7
People with this name have a deep inner need for quiet, and a desire to understand and analyze the world they live in, and to learn the deeper truths.
Expression Number: 22
People with this name tend to be a powerful force to all whose lives they touch. They are capable, charismatic leaders who often undertake large endeavors with great success. They value truth, justice, and discipline, and may be quick-tempered with those who do not. If they fail to develop their potential, they may become impractical and rigid.”
I’m not so sure about “the powerful force” or “the charismatic leader”, but a lot of the rest is true, especially the “quick-tempered”. I’m a red-head; my parent knew what they were getting into!!
Carol Rives recently posted..An Unspoken Promise ~
Gotta watch out for us reds!
Jesse means “God exists”. I don’t suppose I ever want that to change.
By the way, I love the site Larry; keep up the good work.
Thank you very much, Jesse!
I’ve been told that my name means ‘strong and brave’. Until then I hadn’t ever thought of what it means. I always thought it was pretty cool that my mom liked the song, “O Bernardine” and that it came out of a Pat Boone movie with the same name. I’m glad they dropped the ‘r’ in the middle there though as I actually don’t like that it’s derived from Bernard. funny eh. My middle name’s Joanna, which I also like so if I really had to change the name I go by, it’d be that.
I have never seen it spelled with the middle ‘r’ before…I learned my something new for the day. Thanks, Berni!