My name is David Black. (Duh.) In Hawaiian, it's Kawika Eleele. "Eleele" means "Black" in Hawaiian. "Kawika" (pronounced ka-vee-ka) is simply "David" written with the Hawaiian alphabet.
The apostle Paul likewise had two names. His Hebrew name was Saul, meaning "asked of God." But as a Roman citizen, he also had the Latin name Paul. Both names have a similar sound but vastly different meanings. The Latin adjective Paulus (or Paullus) means "little" or "insignificant." Augustine once referred to Paul as Paullum modicum quid -- "a little something." Chrysostom called Paul "the man 3 cubits tall." In ancient Rome, a cubit was equal to about 1.5 feet. Apparently Paul was thought to be only 4.5 feet tall!
In Paul's earliest writing, 1 Thessalonians -- which was the focus of my Bible study this morning -- he uses his Roman name instead of his Hebrew name in 1:1.
"Saul" (Greek saulos) was perhaps too likely to be misunderstood. Who wanted to be known as "loose, wanton, lewd, free from moral constraint"! Incidentally, associated with Paul are Sylvanus (Latin for "Forest") and Timothy (Greek for "Honorer of God"). Love it!
Isn't it so true that once you understand the meaning of your name, you appreciate it more? My youngest grandsons are named Reuben and Noah. Reuben is Hebrew for "Behold a son!"
While Noah is Hebrew for"rest."
For people in the Bible, names often held great significance. Of course, here in the modern West, we don't imbue names with as much significance. Nevertheless, we can all sense the importance of names. To you, your name is more than a word. In some ways, it IS you.
I never study a passage in the Bible that contains a name without asking myself, "What's the significance of the name mentioned here?" I invite you to do the same.