What’s in a name?

When people think about you, what is the first thing that comes to mind? When someone hears your name, what is the association of which they think? If my name were in the dictionary, what would be the definition?

In the Bible, someone’s name was more than just what you called them. It was a definition of their life. And parents would name children based on what they wanted them to be. (This still happens in many cultures around the world.)

Examples:

Aaron – “high mountain” or “exalted.” He was the brother of Moses and the first high priest.
Abraham – “father of many.” He became the patriarch of the Jewish people.
Jacob – “deceiver” or “heel catcher.” He lied many times to save his own skin.
Jezebel – “not exalted.” She was a wicked queen and was eventually eaten by dogs.
Peter – “stone.” He was one of the foundations of the early church.
Jesus – “YAHWEH is salvation.” Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins.

In the United States, the etymology of a name is not that important for most people. But what do people think of when someone says your name?

This is a sobering thought for me: How I live is becoming a definition for my name.

 

What’s in a name?

My last name is Riggs. Sometimes, I’ve been mistakenly called Biggs, Briggs, and even Ridges (obviously, that last person was a moron). But it’s Riggs. If you’re a Free Will Baptist, you might ask me something like:

Now which Riggs do you belong to?

or

You’re not related to Ken Riggs, are you?

And if you’re not a Free Will Baptist, your first response might be:

That’s the same name as that guy from Lethal Weapon!

This post is not to clarify how I am related to the Riggs that you may or may not know. This post is to let you know a little of the overall Riggs story and how it impacts my life.

I recently spent several days processing through our family tree using ancestry.com. (This is an excellent site with lots of ways to help you find your family tree. You really should at least sign up for the 14 day trial.) Anyway, I was able to trace the Riggs patriarchs (with evidence) back to 1490 in England. A few generations later, Edward and Elizabeth Riggs landed in Roxbury, MA in 1633. They had been married in Nazeing, Essex, England. They were part of a Puritan group that started the Nazeing Parish Church, which still stands today. Elizabeth and three of the five children died within one year of their landing. One of the remaining children, Edward, is my 9th great grandfather.

So what? I mean, we all come from somewhere. So what’s the big deal?

Well, the Bible says that a good name is more desirable than great riches (Proverbs 22:1) and that it is better than fine perfume (Ecclesiastes 7:1). I must say that my heart swells a little to read about my ancestors, the sacrifices they made, and the things they did for God’s kingdom. At the same time, I am deeply humbled to realize that I have been left such a rich heritage. I have this amazing legacy that I must continue. No pressure!

Whatever your family history, you are creating a legacy that will be remembered for generations. So what kind of inheritance will you leave for your children and your children’s children?