By Dr Edward Tamale Sali
Naming is a universal custom, transcending cultures, languages, and continents. In every corner of the world, names serve as a unique identifier, marking the beginning of an individual’s journey. Names not only convey identity but often carry a deeper meaning, connecting the individual to their family, culture, or beliefs. However, while some names carry positive connotations or hold significant cultural meaning, others might bear the weight of a darker origin or represent associations we may not wish to connect to. For instance, though names like Goliath or Nabal appear in the Bible, they symbolise defiance and folly—qualities one might not want to transfer to their child.
In the Bible, we encounter individuals whose names were not only chosen with care but sometimes changed or modified by divine intervention, signifying their evolving identity and purpose. This act of renaming by God carried deep symbolic and spiritual implications, marking a transformation in their lives and destinies.
An ancient practice
In biblical times, naming was often the responsibility of women, who chose names that reflected circumstances, prayers, or hopes for the child’s future. Occasionally, God Himself intervened, instructing parents on the specific name to give. This direct involvement signified a special calling or purpose, particularly when God bestowed a new name or altered an existing one. In these cases, renaming signified God’s plan for that individual, marking a departure from the past and a promise for the future.
From Abram to Abraham
The first significant renaming in the Bible is that of Abram. Originally named Abram, meaning “exalted father,” God changed his name to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5). When God altered Abram’s name, it wasn’t a complete replacement but an elevation. The addition of letters signified a deeper calling and a covenant of faith between Abraham and God, promising that he would be the patriarch of countless generations.
God’s call for Abraham required him to leave his home, family, and all that he knew, journeying into the unknown in pursuit of a divinely appointed mission. The name change from Abram to Abraham coincided with a shift from an earthly identity to a covenant-based relationship with God. It is a powerful reminder that, no matter one’s origins, God can transform and elevate an individual’s purpose, aligning them with a higher plan.
Sarai to Sarah
The second transformation involved Sarai, Abraham’s wife, whose name was changed to Sarah, meaning “mother of nations” (Genesis 17:15-16). Initially, Sarai bore the shame of barrenness, but the renaming marked a divine reversal of her status. By becoming Sarah, she was called to be more than just a wife; she was to be a matriarch, bearing a child and paving the way for a lineage of kings.
This transformation is significant because it reflects God’s capacity to replace barrenness—physical, emotional, or spiritual—with fruitfulness. Sarah’s story encourages believers to trust that God can reshape lives, bringing growth where once there was none, and blessing those who submit their lives to Him.
Jacob to Israel
Another powerful transformation story in the Bible is that of Jacob, whose name meant “supplanter” or “deceiver.” Jacob’s early life was marked by a tendency to deceive and manipulate, as shown in his dealings with his brother Esau. However, during a pivotal moment of struggle and self-reflection, God gave him a new name, Israel, meaning “he who wrestles with God and prevails” (Genesis 32:28).
Israel was no longer defined by his deceptive ways but by his perseverance in pursuing a relationship with God. This change marked a turning point not only in Jacob’s life but also in the destiny of his descendants, the nation of Israel. The renaming symbolised a new identity rooted in faith and struggle—a lesson for all believers that true transformation comes through a genuine relationship with God, where one’s weaknesses can be replaced by strength and purpose.
Simon to Peter
In the New Testament, we encounter the disciple Simon, whom Jesus renamed Peter, meaning “rock” or “stone.” Peter, though an ordinary fisherman, became one of the foundational leaders of the early Church. This renaming by Jesus signified Peter’s critical role in the establishment of the Christian faith, as Jesus said: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18).
While some interpret this to mean that Peter himself was the rock upon which the Church would be built, others believe that Jesus was referring to the truth Peter proclaimed—that Jesus is the Son of God—as the true foundation of the Church. In either interpretation, Peter’s renaming signified his transformation from a simple, impulsive man to a steadfast figure upon whom the future of the Church could depend.
Saul to Paul
Saul of Tarsus, a fervent persecutor of early Christians, experienced a life-changing encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Following his conversion, he became known as Paul, meaning “little one.” His former identity as Saul, associated with his role as a devout Pharisee and enemy of Christ’s followers, was overshadowed by his new life in Christ as Paul, the humble apostle who spread the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 13:9).
Paul’s renaming highlights the transformative power of encountering Christ. He was no longer a proud, rigid enforcer of the law but a humbled, compassionate bearer of grace. The change from Saul to Paul symbolises the humility with which God calls believers to serve others and acknowledge their dependence on Him. It is a powerful reminder of the way God can take even the most flawed individuals and redirect their lives towards a higher purpose.
Human-given names
While God-given names reflect divine purpose, there are also instances in the Bible where humans sought to rename others, often to assert control or establish cultural dominance. For example, Joseph was given the Egyptian name Zaphenath-paneah (Genesis 41:45), and Daniel and his friends received Babylonian names—Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—during their captivity (Daniel 1:6-7). These names, however, did not hold lasting significance. Unlike God’s renaming, which transformed identities and aligned individuals with divine purposes, these human-imposed names served as temporary labels, lacking the power to alter their spiritual calling.
Similarly, Naomi, bitter after the loss of her husband and sons, renamed herself Mara, meaning “bitter.” While her grief was deep, her self-renaming did not define her ultimate story, as God’s blessings eventually restored her joy through her daughter-in-law Ruth’s family line. This highlights that names rooted in bitterness or imposed by others do not hold the power to change one’s ultimate identity in God’s eyes.
Embracing God’s purpose, identity
For believers today, these stories offer a message of hope and encouragement. Just as God renamed Abraham, Sarah, Israel, Peter, and Paul, He sees beyond past failures, limitations, or labels, instead focusing on the potential He has placed within each individual. Through a relationship with Christ, believers receive a new name—no longer defined by sin or earthly struggles, but marked by a divine identity as children of God and heirs to an eternal kingdom.
In a world that often assigns identities based on fleeting
