What's in a name?

​Last week I picked my granddaughter up from preschool.  As we drove home in the car, I had asked about her day.  She began to tell me about a book that was read to the class.  She said, “It was about a girl.  The kids made fun about her name.  The kids were mean to her.  But I can’t remember how to say her name.” 
 
“Was it Chrysanthemum?”  I asked.
 
My granddaughter yelled, “How did you know?!”
 
We talked about how Chrysanthemum loved her name until others teased her.  The teasing made her feel bad about her name.  We liked her name! 
 
Did you ever hear the song, A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash?
 
The Bible tells us about a name above all names – Jesus!
 
When my husband and I named each of our children, we wanted to give them Christian roots – so each name was carefully selected based on a name from the Bible.  The names had meaning for us. 
 
Kids in school want teachers to know their names.  Students feel special if a teacher knows them by name.  The kids were also very excited to learn my first name.  My second graders even did an opinion piece on their own names, stating if they liked their name.  Then they had to explain why or why not.  It was interesting to read their thoughts.
 
Names are given to identify who you are.  Names are important.  When we were selecting a name for York Academy of Discovery, we wanted a name that would describe who we are, and why we exist.  Our website explains the meaning of our name.  We are proud of our name and all that it represents. 

​What’s in a name?  Everything!  – it gives us an identity!
 
BEcky