by Michelle Medlock Adams
From the moment I found out our oldest daughter Abby was expecting our first grandchild, I began “trying out” grandma names. At only 47, I didn’t feel like a grandmother—too formal. I also didn’t feel like a Mamaw—that’s what my mom had been called before she went to heaven. And I definitely didn’t feel like a Nana—that was my mother-in-law’s chosen grandma name, and it was the name of the big dog in Peter Pan, so there’s that. So, I did a little research into other possible grandma names. I especially liked Mimi, but my sister Martie had already claimed that one. And I kind of liked the name Glamma, which a lady in my Zumba class explained was short for a glamorous grandma; however, that seemed like a lot to live up to, and I certainly wasn’t glamorous all the time. So that name was also a no. And then I came across the grandma name Gigi. I tried it on, and it just seemed to fit. And bonus! It’s easy to find cute T-shirts and jewelry with the name “Gigi” proudly displayed. (My favorite tank says, “In a world full of grandmas, be a Gigi.”)
Names are important, whether we are choosing a grandma name for ourselves or naming our children or coming up with cute monikers for our fur babies. Think back…how did you come up with the names you gave to your kiddos? Often, we choose the name of a favorite relative or a sound biblical name such as Matthew, Paul, Mary, or Mark. Other times, we simply select a name that flows well with our last name, which is what we did when we chose Abby and Ally for our daughters’ names. “Abby Adams” and “Ally Adams” just rolled off the tongue beautifully. Still, other parents name their children after favorite sports figures or celebrities or even seasons. When my sister had her youngest daughter on the last day of autumn, she decided to name her Autumn to signify that special day for all eternity.
And as important as names are in today’s world, they were even more significant in Bible times. You see, names back then were often chosen to reveal something specific about that person. Remember when God changed Abram’s name? He went from Abram, which meant “high father,” to Abraham because it meant “father of many nations.” That name was given to Abraham to remind him and everyone who called him “Abraham” that he would one day be the father of many nations. It meant something. Every time someone said his name, it reminded Abraham of his destiny.
God’s identity and character are also revealed by His many names found throughout the Bible. The names of God are like miniature pictures and promises of Who God is. His very essence and nature are revealed in each of His Mighty names. For example, Jehovah Jireh means “the changeless One who meets my needs”; Elohim means “the God who makes covenants”; Jehovah Nissi means “my banner, miracle, and victory”; El Shaddai means “the God who is more than enough”; and Jehovah Shalom means “the God of peace,” to name a few.
And when Moses asked God, “What is your name?” in Exodus 3, Moses didn’t just want to know how to address God. No, Moses wanted a revelation of God’s character, and that’s exactly what he received when God answered, “Say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations’” (Exodus 3:15).
I love that, don’t you? God was saying, “Tell them I’m your God!” And He is saying the same thing to us today. No matter what your name means, or what grandma name you’ve chosen, God is saying, “You’re my precious child, and I am Your God.” That seems so personal to me. I love that assurance—that we are His! And He knows us by name! You are a child of the Most High God! Now, go put that on a shirt!
Michelle Medlock Adams is a New York Times bestselling ghostwriter and the author of over 100 books. Earning 90-plus industry awards, including the prestigious 2023 ECPA Gold Medallion Children’s Book of the Year for Our God Is Bigger Than That!, Michelle loves encouraging others with God’s Word. Learn more at www.michellemedlockadams.com