We have just said goodbye to 2022 and welcomed the year 2023.
Many people will therefore have read the usual articles about the first babies born in 2023, or perhaps some married couples are experiencing the joy of awaiting a new birth in this new year.
A child who arrives is always a gift, a confirmation, as the famous aphorism says, «that God is not yet tired of mankind». And anticipation is a time of excitement and profound joy intertwined with fear of a great new development that will bring inevitable changes.
There are many questions, and one of them concerns precisely the name to give the baby boy or girl who is about to arrive.
People are often guided in their choice by names to which they are attached because they are linked to loved ones whose memory they wish to preserve in this way, or to whom they want to show deep affection; sometimes a name is preferred simply as a matter of taste, because of course the name must appeal to whoever decides to give it to their son or daughter.
An ancient tradition, moreover, links the name to the day of birth, thereby stretching a thread between heaven and earth, because - especially in our grandparents’ time - it was customary to give a child the name of the saint commemorated on that day.
Today this tradition is largely obsolete, but a recent scientific study has shown that, when it comes to names, the thread stretched between earth and heaven remains: in the ranking of the most pleasing names to the ear, those of saints and biblical figures are in fact among the top positions.
Let’s look at a few examples that may also offer inspiration to anyone undecided about choosing a name, starting with girls’ names: Lucia, the name of the young saint from Syracuse whose feast is celebrated on December 13, and which means “light”; Noemi, a biblical figure whose name means “good, pleasant, loving”; Sofia, a name of Greek origin meaning “wisdom,” borne by a fourth-century martyr saint, Sofia of Rome. Zoe, also of Greek origin, means “life” in the supernatural sense; “zoe” is precisely the life that Jesus says in the Gospel he wishes to give to those who follow him and believe in him.
For boys, the study reveals that apostolic names rank among the most popular, such as Matteo, which means “gift of God”; then Giuseppe, Jesus’ earthly father, which means “the Lord will add.” And also Samuele, the prophet of Israel, which means “God has heard” or “name of God.”
The list could go on…
Every name carries a meaning, its own story and, at the same time, a wish for the person who receives that name… There is only the embarrassment of choice, certain that every child who is born is blessed from heaven, whatever their name.
