I saw today that the Social Security Administration recently released the top baby names for 2011.  For the boys, the top five run Jacob, Mason, William, Jayden, and Noah.  For the girls the top five goes Sophia, Isabella, Emma, Olivia, and Ava.  Although Mason finished second to Jacob, it did take the crown for the highest jump in one year– up ten spots from 12th in 2009.  Pundits credit Mason’s jump to the birth of Kourtney Kardashian’s son, Mason, in December 2009.  Although I have heard of Kourtney Kardashian, I can honestly say that I did not know she named her son Mason.  I guess I’m a bit out of touch.  Or I’ve spent too much time chasing around my own sons Jackson and Grant.

For those of you keeping track, Jackson finished 23rd place this year (up from 25 in 2010).  Grant finished 151st this year (up from 155 in 2010).  And, just for fun, Zachary finished 64th  and Jana did not make the list because it did not finish in the top 1,000 names for girls.  This only proves what I have know all along.  Of all the members of my family my wife is the most unique.    If you want to find the ranking of your own name, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/babynames/

What’s in a name?  Do names mean anything?  In scripture, names are very important and often carry significance.  For example, in Genesis Sarah and Abraham laugh when the Lord tells them they are to bear a child in their old age (see 18:12).  When their son arrives, they name him Isaac, which means “laughter” or “he laughs.”  The name Jesus too carries significance.  In Matthew the angel tells Joseph that Mary “will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (1:21).  You guessed it– Jesus literally means “Yahweh saves.”

What about you and me?  It is a bit weird, but Zachary literally means “remembered by the Lord.”  One of my gifts from God is a great memory which enables me to perform scritpure.  Coincedence?  I don’t know.  I’m not sure what your name means, but it may be worth looking into.  Maybe you will find a coincedence.  Maybe you won’t.  But, either way, thinking about our names is a reminder that we are unique people and we are unique children of God.  And, no matter what our names are, God comes to us in Christ and relates to us in a unique way.

Even if we are named after a Kardashian on televison.