What’s In a Name? Lucas . . . – Joshua Graves: Exploring the Collision of Culture & Faith

What’s In a Name? Lucas . . .

January 28, 2009

Kara and I wrestled for a few months over what to name our first child (coming to a nursery near you in May, 2009). We had some basic criteria for selecting the name. Because we are having a boy, we wanted to be creative but not too creative. I’m now convinced that selecting a girl’s name is far easier than choosing a name for your son. We’ve had a name for a girl picked out since we were engaged.

We wanted the name to be strong without sounding overbearing. We wanted the name to be clear without being trite. Paramount for me: I didn’t want a name that could a) easily be turned into another name, b) rhymed with something inappropriate (I’m far too creative in this area and have years of sharing a room with a twin who, together, had the ability to rhyme just about anything), or c) conjure up images of past bullies and bad memories.

You might be wise to surmise that we were a bit analytical in this process. Hey, this is our first child. Wait ’til we start talking vaccinations.

We checked out several “name” books from our local library. We each made a list based on these books. When we compared the list, we did not have ONE single name in common. That didn’t surprise us at all, however. We’re learning to embrace how different God has made us.

All that to say . . . we feel really good about the name we’ve selected: Lucas Joshua Graves. Lucas (which has roots in Latin, Greek, English and Gaelic meaning “light”) brings a strong clear name with some Biblical allusion (The Gospel of Luke, my personal favorite). Joshua because, well, what father doesn’t love to have part of him on display in his son?

Having said all that, I’m convinced that the person really makes the name. But starting off on a good foot in this world is a good thing I suppose. After all, Lucas Joshua sure gives you a better chance than Herod Adolf.

Labels: Baby Graves, Lucas

11 Comments

Now that you’ve got the birth name, now you have to decide what his name will be upon heeding the call of God; (you know, the whole name change thing. :)

…did I just use the word heeding?

by phil (Jan 28 2009, 9:57 am)

Herod Adolf, that’s really nice. Lucas Joshua sounds like a great name, congrats on having a boy Josh. By the way thanks for your “objective” propaganda. Made me laugh.

by Jonathan Storment (Jan 28 2009, 10:07 am)

The Force will be with him, that’s for sure.

I am beginning a class on Luke next week and have been reading ahead for the last month or so. I’m falling in love with Luke as well. What are YOUR reasons? Or have you written that post already?

Steve

by Thurman8er (Jan 28 2009, 10:28 am)

Phil,

Good point. I forgot about God’s tendency to do just that.

Jonathan,

I’ll look fwd to parenting advice from you.

Scott,

I hope the force is with him. Thanks for the Skywalker reference.

by Josh Graves (Jan 28 2009, 2:09 pm)

I always thought Habakkuk would have been a good boy’s name–sadly we only had three girls

by drew (Jan 28 2009, 4:36 pm)

Hmm…two Old Testament names for one person might be too much to bear. Ha.

by Josh Graves (Jan 28 2009, 7:50 pm)

Good name. Actually, great name! I personally like some of the names I knew in high school and college: Landon Gheer, Brick and Stone Wall (twin offensive linemen who “couldn’t block to save their lives!” according to my ex-roommate) and my personal favorite (for a girl) Maya Nessa (which is spelled “M-A-Y-O-N-A-I-S-E… no joke… somebody’s mama named the girl Mayonaise!)

That being said, stick with Lucas Joshua. Much better than Mayonaisse.

by Robin Brannon (Jan 29 2009, 10:23 am)

I am disappointed that Barack was not involved in the name…it is not too late!

by ... (Jan 29 2009, 5:04 pm)

Robin,

Those are hilarious. Serisouly. Being named after a condiment? Wow.

Anonymous–Barack (or Hussein) was never in the running for Baby Graves. Sorry :)

by Josh Graves (Jan 31 2009, 9:56 am)

KMART

I should have known.

I’m guessing your next son will be Ron Paul. :)

Ha.

by Josh Graves (Jan 31 2009, 1:57 pm)

I personally think that “Lucas” is a great name. Hopefully people from his generation will not incessantly make poor jokes about his paternal lineage.

by Luke (Feb 3 2009, 8:55 am)