I'm one of those women that hears a name and thinks "Hmm. I love that name. Maybe one day..." And away it goes...stored in the corners of my mind. Thankfully, Jet and I have the same taste when it comes to names!
In YWAM, a friend's sister was named "Charis". She told me it was the Greek word for Grace. Loved it.
Also in YWAM, one of our leaders mentioned the word "Selah" (pronounced Say-la...though some say See-la) and said it meant, "Pause and reflect on what the Lord has done." Immediately, loved it.
In college, I met a sorority sister of a suitemate. Her name was "Raegan". I thought...hmmm, that's original. very beautiful and sophisticated all at the same time. Then years later, when I was leading a college ministry, my heart knitted with a very bubbly, very hilarious, very beautiful college girl named...Raegan. Then a few years back, I learned the meaning: "Spiritual Authority." Uh-huh. loved it.
So all of our names have been ones that have stuck with me over the years for a few different reasons:
-They were original. Different enough that the child wouldn't be sharing their name with five other people in their class. but not insanely different that people would look at them cross-eyed when they introduced themselves. (maybe some would disagree with me here) *laughing*
-Names with powerful meanings. that bestow a Godly character trait into their very beings. into their very core identity: Grace, Reflection and Worship, Authority
-AND names that represented the season where God had us as a family during the baby's womb-time and delivery. Even the babies that we've lost (we've named them as well) have names that represent this to us.
This time is no different. The name, though maybe more common than our other girls, isn't one that you hear often. The meaning is beyond powerful. And it represents both what we want for her as a person and where the Lord currently has us as a family.
We've actually had the name for a while now. But for some reason, just never got around to making an official declaration. WHICH is very different for us. And which has turned out to be fairly unwise, considering that our girls know and share the name with any and all who show the faintest interest in my pregnancy.
So it is without further ado, I present to you...the name of our littlest girl:
*Alana Joy*
We've always liked that name (Elana, Alanna, Alana). But the meaning left a little to be desired. In my baby book, it was "Gaelic for rock". Huh. Okay. Not too much to go by. But still liked the sound of it and all.
BUT remember, we always name our babies based on the powerful meaning AND according to the season the Lord has us in as a family. So I REALLY wanted something that meant "outpouring" or "revival".
But all those names were freaky-weird. Things no kind and loving parent would bestow upon their own flesh and blood. Really.
AND then lo and behold, I came across a Hawaiian name that meant OUTPOURING.... "ALANA"!
AHHH!! Are you kidding me?! We were so excited! Different origin, but exact same name. With exactly the meaning we'd been searching and searching for! *perfect*
Plus, we'd always talked about nicknaming her "Lani". Which is Hawaiian for "HEAVENLY". So her name essentially means:
"Heavenly Outpouring of Joy"
And the fact that it also means "rock" in Gaelic just signifies to me (now that my mom pointed it out!) that this outpouring will come out in unlikely sources/ways. Like the rock that Moses struck for the outpouring of water to come forth. Pretty powerful stuff, Lord. I likey.
So there you have it. Baby Girl #4's Identity uncovered. :)
