30 Nov, 2009

What's In a Name?

LONDON (Reuters) - A London-based translation firm is offering parents-to-be the chance to check the meaning of prospective baby names in other languages to avoid inadvertently causing their offspring future embarrassment.

Celebrity couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes might have thought twice about naming their daughter Suri if they'd known that it means "pickpocket" in Japanese, "turned sour" in French, and "horse mackerels" in Italian, suggest Today Translations.

For 1,000 pounds ($1,678), the company's linguists will carry out a "basic name translation audit" of names, checking their meaning in 100 languages, or more for an additional cost.

While open to everyone, the firm said it expects the service is likely to attract celebrity clients, who are known for giving their babies unusual names.

Other celebrity baby names it has checked include Kai Rooney, the newborn son of English soccer player Wayne Rooney, whose name means "probably" in Finnish, "pier" in Estonian, and "stop it" in the west African language of Yoruba.

And while musicians Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale may have known Zuma meant "peace" in Arabic when choosing their son's name, they may not have been aware it also translates as "Lord frowns in anger" in the Aztec language of Nahuatl.

Some unusual celebrity baby name choices are beyond easy translation however, the company admits, such as Jermajesty -- the son of Michael Jackson's brother Jermaine.

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Steve Addison)

Story and photo taken from: http://www.reuters.com

Acts 4:10 (NIV)

then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

2 Thessalonians 1:12 (NIV)

We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What's in a name?

As our story points out many people give names to their children without really knowing the meaning.

But as a Christian there is great power in the name of Jesus Christ. All throughout the New Testament the writers exalt the name of Christ. He is the author of our faith. He is the exact representation of God. It is Christ within us that we stand forgiven and holy before God.

I know this may sound trivial, but it is easy to forget what sustains us throughout each day. It is so easy to do things (even good things for God) on our own power. It is so easy to get prideful when things are going well and conversely discouraged when things do not. But the power of Christian living comes from calling out humbly for Christ's power working within us.

There is truly power in His name.

  • How have you been living the Christian life recently? Have you been operating on your own power or have you been seeking the power of Christ within you?
  • Take 5 minutes each day this week to start each morning humbly acknowledging the power of Christ at work within you. Trust in His name for the power of Christian living.

Pray for those around who do not know Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to move their hearts to have an encounter with Jesus Christ. Maybe you could offer them a New Testament and ask them to start reading the gospel of John. As they do, pray that the power of Christ would open their minds and hearts. It is only through His name and power can they be changed.

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