What's In A Name?

The other night while feasting on delicious desserts at our professor's house, the conversation starting revolving around names, and more specifically, nicknames.  We'd been talking about family nicknames and how they come about and why.  The funny part was, most of us couldn't remember!  My family is big on nicknames just like any other family and encompassed in those nicknames are more than just words - but love, affection, and identity.

It led me to think - what's in a name?  Of course I was reminded of the quote from  Romeo and Juliet and then I kept thinking of other names. 

Have you ever played that game where you say a word and then speak aloud the first word that comes to mind?

For example...

Up......

.........down!

In.......

........out!

Austin....

......College!  (Go Roos!)

Texas....

..........Longhorns!

And with names:

Michael....

........Jackson!

Jesus......
.......Christ!

Queen....
......Elizabeth!

A silly game I know, but you should try playing it with small children.  It is great fun!  The word association can be ridiculous, but also really meaningful.  

If you know me at all, you know I'm a bit particular when it comes to names - specifically, mine. I'm an elitist when it comes to spelling, pronouncing, and overall knowing my name.  My name is a part of my identity!  I'm named after someone meaningful to my family.  

I am a Kathryn.  Not a Catherine or Katherine, but a Kathryn.  The biggest difference lies in the pronunciation - Kath-ryn verses Kath-ER-rine.  Minor to some, but major to me.  

And thinking beyond my given name, I'm even MORE particular about the name I use most - Katy.  I am not a Catie, Katie, Caty, Caddy, Kady - it's K.A.T.Y.  There are only a few nicknames I accept.  My family calls me "Kat", I have some aunts who are allowed to call me "Kate", and then small children who struggle with "K" can say "Taty". 

Back to the word association game from earlier, in college, there was a plethora of "Katy's" on my campus.  Not all were spelled the same, but it could become highly confusing to many.  Our Chaplain's son, being quite young at the time and not recognizing letters quite yet, came up with his own unique way to distinguish us.  He "nicknamed" us.  

My nickname? 

LOUD Katy.  

Maybe not the nickname I would choose for myself, but it was indeed accurate. And it was said out of affection, love, and one that does indeed speak to my identity (I am a loud person...).

A few weeks ago as I was leaving a birthday party for a child I have the honor to babysit for, I was standing outside with the older brother.  This little man was in a fully induced sugar coma brought on by delicious cupcakes and also wiped from swimming diligently for the previous hours.  I was saying goodbye to the little guy and some of the other adults were trying to encourage him to say goodbye back with a "Goodbye Miss Katy".  This child was being a bit stubborn so I just gave him a hug and headed to my car.  As I'm about to get in, I hear him shout, 

"BYE MY KATY!"

I cannot even put into words how that made my heart feel!  
A nickname that claims me. 

A nickname filled with affection.  

A nickname filled with love. 

The verse from Isaiah reminds me of that idea of being claimed - being called - being loved:

But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
 -Isaiah 43:1

I have called YOU BY NAME.  You are MINE.  

Pretty simple words that are ever so powerful.  Our God creates us - our God claims us, our God calls us in affection and love.

Can I get an amen for the identity we find in that claiming?