What's in a Name?

About What's in a Name?

Ever wondered if there was any meaning in your name? My podcast explores all things onomatology... the study of names!

Publisher

WRKdefined Podcast Network

Category

education · religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Jun 2024

Latest episode

24 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

145 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Oct 2026

   S6.11-145 - "Dysheen" - How an Uncommon Name Shapes Your Identity

   What does your name mean, and does it affect who you become? This conversation looks at how a name’s meaning, origin story, and pronunciation can shape self-image, creativity, and the way other people treat you. It covers growing up with an uncommon name, learning to embrace it as an adult, and how names can affect hiring decisions. It also looks at why names change in the Bible. If you have an unusual name, are researching name meanings, or want to understand name bias at work, this episode gives you a clear, personal perspective. Key Takeaways Researching the meaning of a name can lead to unexpected connections between who you are and what your name symbolizes. Family stories about how a name was chosen can differ, and the story itself often becomes a lasting icebreaker. An unusual name can feel like a burden in childhood, especially in schools and communities where most names are common. Many people come to appreciate a unique name as an adult, particularly in creative fields where standing out is an advantage. When someone mispronounces your name, the effort they make to learn it says a lot about their respect for you. Many people feel their name influences how others treat them, which in turn shapes their path and personality. Names that sound ethnic or unfamiliar can lead to bias in resume screening and job interviews, including concerns about automated hiring tools. Appearance and name can both trigger snap judgments in hiring, even when the candidate and qualifications are the same. Name changes in the Bible are often read as a sign of transition, with a new name marking a new chapter in a person’s life. Embracing what makes you different can change how you see your work, your relationships, and your sense of purpose. Timestamps 02:08 – Do you know the meaning of your own name? 03:37 – Researching an uncommon name and what it might mean 04:40 – Finding a similar name that means sight or vision 08:18 – How parents choose a name and the story behind it 14:52 – Wishing for a different name while growing up 19:10 – How it feels when your name is mispronounced 20:37 – Does the meaning of your name shape how you see the world? 26:06 – Does a name change how people treat you? 27:22 – Name bias in resumes and job interviews 31:37 – Why names change in the Bible and what it signifies Keywords meaning of your name, unusual names, name meaning and identity, name mispronunciation, name bias in hiring, resume discrimination, how names shape personality, origin of a name, Bible name changes, embracing a unique name Refine your purpose and leadership skills by joining the Intentional Leadership Network: https://www.intentionalleadernetwork.com/a/2148165226/4EW66BNT Go follow Dysheen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3dm_photography/?hl=en

2. 

   18 Oct 2026

   S6.10-144 - "Monica" - Choosing an English Name After Moving Countries

   A business systems analyst from Calgary, Alberta learns for the first time what the name Monica means and shares the story of how she got it. Born in China with the birth name Meng, she moved to Canada at age 12, and her parents picked Monica from a list of English names in the back of a dictionary, limited to names that started with M and that they could pronounce. Listeners will learn the Latin and Greek origins of Monica, why the ending "ica" is linked to bringing joy, how attending eight schools by ninth grade shaped her sense of solitude, and whether knowing a name's meaning can influence how a person acts. The conversation also covers name changes in the Bible, the study of names known as onomatology, and whether names affect how job applicants are judged. Key Takeaways The name Monica comes from Latin and means advisor or one who advises, with related meanings of to warn or to remind. The first letters of Monica are linked to a Greek word meaning alone, single, or solitary. In some traditions, the ending ika is associated with someone who brings joy. Monica peaked in United States popularity in 1977 and ranked 39th among newborn girl names in the 1970s. Immigrant families often select English names based on what is easy for the parents to pronounce. The Chinese name Meng can mean dream and is also associated with eldest or firstborn. Moving frequently as a child can make deep friendships harder and create a sense of solitude, even for an extrovert. Learning the meaning of your name can shape how you want to act and who you want to become. Onomatology is the study of names and their meanings, and there are few accessible resources on it. Research suggests names can lead to prejudgment in hiring, so name meanings should never be used to screen candidates. Timestamps 00:36 – Growing up between China and Canada and working as a business systems analyst 01:37 – What the name Monica means in Latin and Greek 03:04 – How moving to eight schools shaped friendships and solitude 06:54 – How an English name was chosen from a dictionary at age 12 08:05 – The meaning of the Chinese birth name Meng 10:15 – Why wanting a different name was limited by the letter M 12:22 – Can the meaning of a name shape behavior 13:20 – Why the Bible records people's names being changed 15:22 – How a personal discovery led to studying name meanings 19:12 – Should hiring managers judge candidates by their names Keywords meaning of the name Monica, Monica name origin, name meanings, picking an English name, immigrant name change, Chinese and English names, onomatology, name changes in the Bible, name bias in hiring, identity and belonging Refine your purpose and leadership skills by joining the Intentional Leadership Network: https://www.intentionalleadernetwork.com/a/2148165226/4EW66BNT

3. 

   9 Oct 2026

   S6.09-143 - "Melissa" - How Your Name's Meaning Shapes Your Identity

   What does the name Melissa mean, and can a name's meaning influence who we become? In this conversation, an Indianapolis empty nester learns that her name comes from the Greek word for honeybee and reflects on how bee symbolism, including hard work, community, sweetness, and healthy boundaries, mirrors her persistent personality. She shares what it was like to be named after her aunt, why she spent her childhood wishing she had a different name, and how growing up without a middle name affected her. The episode also explores why name changes appear in the Bible, how a parent's own name experience shapes the names they choose for their children, why naming a son can feel more permanent than naming a daughter, and how many people come to love a name they once disliked. Key Takeaways The name Melissa has Greek origins and means honeybee. Bees symbolize hard work, teamwork, prosperity, and protecting your energy and boundaries. A family nickname or story connected to a name can shape how a child sees themselves for years. Being named after a relative can make a name feel special and create a lasting bond. Many people wish for a different name as children and grow to love their own name as adults. Small details like not having a middle name can feel significant during childhood. Believing your name carries a strong meaning can build confidence and a sense of leadership. Biblical name changes, such as Abram to Abraham, invite reflection on how names connect to purpose. Parents who struggled with their own names often choose names for their children that are easy to pronounce. Sons typically keep their names and initials for life, which can make choosing a boy's name feel weightier. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and guest background 05:38 – Did she know what her name meant 06:02 – Greek origin of the name and bee symbolism 08:11 – Being named after a family member 08:44 – Childhood wish for a different name 10:52 – Growing up without a middle name 13:37 – How a name's meaning shapes personality 14:42 – Why the Bible records name changes 16:57 – How your own name influences naming children 18:41 – Learning to love the name you were given Keywords Melissa name meaning, what does Melissa mean, name meaning honeybee, bee symbolism, meaning of names, named after a family member, disliking your name, choosing baby names, biblical name changes, name and identity Refine your purpose and leadership skills by joining the Intentional Leadership Network: https://www.intentionalleadernetwork.com/a/2148165226/4EW66BNT

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

14 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

94

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact What's in a Name?

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.