I was named for two aunts. My mother’s sister was Barbara Ann, and my father’s youngest sister was Lora Lee. So I became Barbara Lee. I supposed I could have ended up with Lora Ann, or a name from another aunt, Faye Elisabeth, whose name was the same as my grandmother’s.
From time to time as I grew up, interest arose in name meanings. My friends were always tickled to discover that my first name, Barbara, means “stranger.” I’d hear good-natured comments the speakers thought were witty, like, “Yeah, you’re the strangest friend I have.”
When I was taking a class in some New Testament epistles in college, the teacher said something like, “I don’t know if we have any Barbaras in here . . . ” (at which point everyone who knew me looked at me), “but the name Barbara comes from the word barbarian.” He said “barbarian” arose from how Greeks described foreigners, whose language sounded like “bar bar” to them.
I loved my aunts and didn’t mind my name. I don’t think my parents had name meanings in mind when they named me. But after I became a Christian I was encouraged to discover the concept of being a stranger in the Bible.
In Ephesians 2, Paul writes that we were “strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace . . .” Through the cross, He reconciled us to Himself, so when we believe on Jesus Christ, we “are no longer strangers and aliens.” The Getty’s hymn, “Jesus, Joy of the Highest Heaven,” puts it this way:
Jesus, laid in a lowly manger,
Facing a world of dangers,
Come to turn me a stranger
Into a child of God.
Isaac Watts’ hymn, “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need,” captures this beautifully in the last stanza.
The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;
O may Thy house be mine abode,
And all my work be praise!
There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger, nor a guest,
But like a child at home.
When we were at home in a world that doesn’t know God, we were strangers to Him. But once we became His children, then we also became strangers to the world. Hebrews 11 says the people listed there “all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth” (verse 13). This world is not the ultimate home of believers. We seek to do good and enjoy God’s gifts and shine as lights for Him here, but ultimately, we “desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one” (verse 16). C. S. Lewis put it this way in The Problem of Pain: “Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.”
As strangers here, 1 Peter 2:11 urges us “to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” This urging follows the verses that say believers are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” Because we have become God’s people through faith, we live and act differently from what we used to.
Deuteronomy 10:18-19 really elevated my name in my eyes: “He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner [stranger], giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner [stranger], therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.”
In Bible times, name meanings were special. People were given names according to character traits they either had, or that parents hoped they would have.
God often changed a person’s name in the Bible after a significant encounter with God. Thus Abram (“exalted father”) became Abraham (“father of many nations”). Jacob (“planter or deceiver”) became Israel (“prince with God”). Simon (“hearing”) became Peter (“rock”).
Revelation 2:17 contains an interesting situation: “To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.”
This is the only place where such a white stone is mentioned in the Bible. Some sources say ancient jurors cast white stones for a “not guilty” verdict or a black stone for “guilty.”
Some say the stone hearkens back to the breastplate the high priest wore which contains twelve jewels with the twelve tribes of Israel inscribed upon them. The high priest brought the names of the tribes before God as he ministered. So Jesus bears our names before the Father.
GotQuestions.org poses this as the best theory:
The best theory regarding the meaning of the white stone probably has to do with the ancient Roman custom of awarding white stones to the victors of athletic games. The winner of a contest was awarded a white stone with his name inscribed on it. This served as his “ticket” to a special awards banquet. According to this view, Jesus promises the overcomers entrance to the eternal victory celebration in heaven. The “new name” most likely refers to the Holy Spirit’s work of conforming believers to the holiness of Christ.
Jesus said of a good shepherd “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out’ (John 10:3). Then He said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (verse 14).
Imagine–the God of the universe, who made and knows millions (billions? trillions?) of people, knows our name. Those who know Him will receive a new name in heaven known only between Him and them.
I don’t know what my new name will be. But I am immeasurably thankful to be known and loved by God.
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (John 10:3).
(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)
Stray Thoughts 
Interesting information about the white stone. I’ve wondered about that.
I was named from Melanie, a character in Gone with the Wind. I understand that it’s meaning is “woman in black” which would make sense with the “melan” part of my name. I did see a pin in a Christian bookstore once that said Melanie meant “Divine Spark” but I think that was just to sell pins.
You certainly are a friend to me, but I sure don’t see you as strange. Have a blessed day.
There was a time when some organization made plaques with character traits for names derived from the meaning. “Barbara” was “coming with joy,” which is not what I associate with “stranger.” I think those plaques confused a lot of people as to what their names really meant.
Beautiful message. I’m thankful to know God knows me and calls me by name. I am His daughter. I was named Melissa by my middle sister. I’m the baby of the family. Have a blessed Sunday! 🙂
I just looked up the meaning of “Melissa.” Supposedly it’s Greek and means “honeybee.” That makes me think of one who industriously makes sweet things that nurture others. 🙂
What a beautiful and comforting way to view a name meaning that some might find uncomfortable. My parents didn’t think about name meanings when they chose ours – they just chose names they liked. I put some thought into name meanings for my children, but ultimately it was I liked the sound of. Our daughter is named Kennady Anne – she is named after my husband’s favorite hockey team, believe it or not, which is Canadien and when pronounced the French way sounds very much like her name. She was somewhat dismayed to learn that the original meaning of the Gaelic name is something like “ugly/bent/crooked head” but thankfully knows the reason we chose the name! She does go by “ugly headed” as her nickname in one of family group chats though!
How wonderful it is to know that God knows each of us by name, and has a special “pet name” for each of us that shows how much he loves us.
A friend of mine was dismayed to find that her son’s first and middle names meant “red-headed” and “grey-headed.” But I guess that would be the normal progression of life. 🙂 I hadn’t thought of God’s “hidden” name for us as being a “pet name” like families have for its members, but what a sweet thought. Those often arise after some incident or characteristic, which makes them unique to the individual. What a marvel that God made so many people, yet we’re each unique to Him.
This is lovely and so interesting! I enjoyed hearing the origin of your name for you, and of “Barbara” too. I remember being interested in name and their meanings when I was younger as well. Mine means “lily.” The “new name” bit is fascinating!
“Lily” makes me think of the passages to trust in God because He clothes the lily so beautifully, and of Christ as the “Lily of the valley.”
I really like the C.S. Lewis quote. I read that in a book recently.
And, yes, it’s so amazing that the Creator of heaven and earth knows our name. There’s so much to be thankful for.
I’m so glad that He makes us members of His family and knows us individually.
Oh your post leaves me full of gratitude, for the joy that He not only knows my name and the deepest depths of my soul … but loves me anyway. I’m so grateful …
Me, too! That He can know all the nooks and crannies of our souls and still love us–amazing.
This is so interesting, Barbara. The tie to “barbarian” made me smile, and I’m glad to know learning the “stranger” connection was encouraging to you. Did I ever tell you about how I got my name? My siblings and I all have Bible names, but when my parents got to me (no. 6) they couldn’t agree on a middle name so I don’t have one. When my younger sister came along, they purposely didn’t give her one either so I wouldn’t feel left out. (I always thought that was kind of them!) The Bible bookstore bookmarks always used to say Lois meant something like “faithful worker,” which seemed sort of boring to me. Many years later I learned some other meaning, which I can’t even remember now. I guess there are worse meanings than “faithful worker.” 🙂
That’s interesting about having no middle name–and kind of your parents to do the same for your sister so you weren’t the only one (I wonder if she feels the same way?) They might have come up with one if they’d had more time–often there’s pressure to get that all done so the hospital can get their records in order.
I always love the connection of Lois with Timothy’s grandmother. “Faithful worker” does sound like a made-up meaning to sell bookmarks. I just looked up the meaning, which some sources say is “Most beautiful, superior, better.” I was just reading in Hebrews this morning, with its theme of Christ being “better” than angels, that the old covenant and priesthood, etc. How neat to have that embodied in your name!
One source said it could have a connection to Louise, which supposedly means “faithful warrior”–perhaps that’s where the “faithful worker” idea came from.
Can’t think of anyone LESS like a barbarian!
We named our kids with an eye to their name’s meaning, maybe because my husband’s name (“Calvin”) means “bald,” which has actually been fulfilled. 😂
This is a beautiful post and very interesting! I love knowing that the Creator of the universe knows our names!
Beautifully written. Such a lovely reminder, too!
Barbara, this is such a beautiful post. You brought to mind Isaiah 43:1 in the NKJV > “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.” The words filled my heart with the thought of how the God of the universe, who had created all things, called my name out so that I would come to know Him. I am so grateful you shared this post!
PS – This means we all have been named perfectly, purposefully, and according to His will 🙂
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This is astoundingly beautiful Barbara!
I appreciate you sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month.