What's in a Name?

WRKdefined Podcast Network
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

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

  1. 1d ago

    S6.04-138 - "Benedetto" - Part Two - Using Your Name Meaning To Build Confidence

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION Summary This is a one year follow up conversation with a returning guest who first learned that his name means blessed and well spoken. He explains what actually changed after that discovery: how he used the phrase well spoken as a practical tool to speak up after decades of shyness, how he stayed honest in a discouraging job search instead of telling hiring managers what they wanted to hear, and how he redefined the word blessed so it means something real rather than decorative. Along the way he talks about what happens when a passion becomes a job, why he has given away nearly two decades of concert photography for free, what he has learned working backstage with teenage athletes on the most overwhelming day of their lives, and whether parents should pick names based on meaning. If you are trying to reconnect with work you used to love, or wondering whether a name meaning can genuinely shape identity, this conversation gives you concrete examples instead of theory. Key Takeaways Turning a passion into paid work can make it difficult to enjoy that same activity off the clock, and getting the enjoyment back takes deliberate effort rather than time alone. Spacing out creative work and being intentional about when you do it can keep a passion project from quietly becoming an obligation you resent. Offering your skills to people who cannot pay for them can be a practical act of service, and being underpaid or having work stolen does not have to change your reasons for doing it. Constant online noise can replace your real interests with a borrowed group identity, which is often why people feel dissatisfied without being able to name the cause. Answering interview questions truthfully, rather than performing the answer you think a hiring manager wants, can make you the candidate they remember even when you do not get hired. Leaving an unsuccessful job fair or interview does not have to be interpreted as a personal failure, and reframing it that way protects your willingness to try again. When someone is overwhelmed by a major life moment, the most useful person in the room is often the one who wants nothing from them. Silence is sometimes better support than another question, especially for people who have already been asked to explain themselves repeatedly. Learning that his name means well spoken gave him a repeatable way to practice confidence, and treating it as a muscle meant it did not have to work every time to be worth doing. Parents can choose a name with real intention, but sharing that meaning with a child too early risks handing them a template to perform instead of room to become themselves. Timestamps 02:25 – When a hobby becomes work and stops being fun 04:11 – Losing enjoyment in a long running passion project 05:33 – Choosing to give creative work away instead of charging for it 08:45 – How constant noise replaces real interest with groupthink 10:05 – Staying authentic during a discouraging job search 12:20 – Supporting people through an overwhelming milestone day 17:32 – Knowing when silence helps more than conversation 19:44 – Using a name meaning to rebuild confidence after years of shyness 21:04 – Redefining what being blessed actually means 29:30 – Whether parents should choose names based on meaning Keywords name meanings, name meaning blessed and well spoken, identity and self worth, creative burnout, concert photography career, job search confidence, authenticity in interviews, naming a baby with intention, finding meaning after setbacks, podcast about names Refine your purpose and leadership skills by joining the Intentional Leadership Network:  https://www.intentionalleadernetwork.com/a/2148165226/4EW66BNT

  2. Sep 5

    S6.03-137 - "Shana" - Say It Right: Names, Meaning, and Respect

    Refine your purpose and leadership skills by joining the Intentional Leadership Network:  https://www.intentionalleadernetwork.com/a/2148165226/4EW66BNT Follow Shana on Instagram: @rhymeswith__babynames EPISODE DESCRIPTION A baby name consultant and former tech manager talks through what a name actually does in real life: how much the dictionary meaning matters, why some parents cross a name off the list the moment they learn its definition, and what it feels like when people you work with every day never bother to learn how to say your name. You will hear how one name can carry Hebrew, Irish, and Gaelic roots at the same time, how the Social Security name database is used to research popularity and spelling variants, and how to find something useful in a name whose meaning sounds negative in English. The conversation closes with why names change in the Bible and what those changes are meant to signal. Key Takeaways One first name can carry several unrelated origins, and Shana traces to Hebrew, Irish, and Gaelic roots meaning lily, wise or old river, and God is gracious. Meaning is a deciding factor for many parents, and a beautiful sounding name gets cut from the list once a definition like bitter shows up. Mispronunciation from a stranger rarely stings, but repeated mispronunciation from a colleague reads as a lack of effort rather than an honest mistake. Putting a phonetic spelling in a work profile or chat bio does not guarantee people will use it, so correcting others out loud and repeatedly is usually what actually works. Legally respelling a name for easier pronunciation is an option, but the original spelling is often tied to family history and no longer looks right once changed. Children who grow up hearing what their name means may lean into those traits, while people who never heard the meaning are unlikely to be shaped by it. A name that looks negative in English often has more to it, since dark can suggest depth and bitter can work as a reminder of what to avoid becoming. Baby name consulting combines personal taste with data, using decades of naming records to check popularity, spelling variants, and trends over time. Growing up with an unusual name can become a core part of identity and shape lifelong interests, including a career built around names. Name changes in scripture, such as Sarai to Sarah and Saul to Paul, mark a transformation significant enough that the old name no longer fits the person. Timestamps 00:28 – Leaving a tech career to consult on baby names 01:24 – Knowing only part of your own name's meaning 01:43 – Hebrew, Irish, and Gaelic roots behind one name 02:39 – Why parents reject names that mean bitter 03:22 – Using naming data to research popularity and spelling 05:59 – When repeated mispronunciation starts to feel disrespectful 07:32 – Why saying a name correctly signals respect at work 08:26 – Choosing a replacement name that still fits you 11:11 – Whether a name's meaning influences how you act 12:19 – What name changes in the Bible represent Keywords name meaning, baby name consultant, mispronounced name at work, how to pronounce someone's name, choosing a baby name, names and identity, baby name data, biblical name changes, unique baby names, name pronunciation etiquette

  3. Aug 29

    S6.02-136 - "Haley" - Does Changing Your Name Change You?

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION Most people know a one line definition of their name and never look further. This conversation goes past that. A guest who briefly went by her middle name in college talks through what it was like to answer to two different names, why one version of herself felt more outgoing than the other, and what actually drove that change. You will hear the fuller meaning behind a name usually reduced to "hay meadow," including its Old English, Irish, and spiritual interpretations, and how learning that meaning later in life landed differently than it would have at twenty. The second half turns to a question few people ask out loud: why does Scripture record so many name changes, and why did the practice largely stop? If you have ever wondered whether a name shapes a person or just labels one, this episode gives you a practical way to think it through. Key Takeaways The name Haley traces to Old English for meadow or clearing, while some Irish sources connect it to being clever or ingenious. Spiritual readings of the name point toward peace, groundedness, quiet strength, and steady leadership rather than a loud presence. Most people stop at the first surface level definition they find and never learn the fuller history behind their own name. A middle name chosen for spiritual reasons can become a lifelong reminder, especially during seasons when that quality feels hardest to practice. Going by a different name in a new setting can make you feel more outgoing, but it does not resolve the underlying identity questions. Using a different name for a few years can permanently split your relationships into groups who know you by two separate names. Major transitions, like moving from homeschool to public school, reshape personality far more than a name ever does. Given the choice today, she would pick a name that reflects growth already lived rather than returning to the one she used before. Repeated misspellings of a common name tend to feel like carelessness rather than disrespect, particularly when the correct spelling was already provided. Scripture repeatedly ties a name change to becoming a new creation, from Abram to Abraham and Simon to Peter, which raises the question of why that practice faded. Timestamps 01:28 – What most people actually know about their own name 02:27 – The Old English, Irish, and spiritual meanings behind a common name 04:31 – Adjusting how you come across in an unfamiliar region 06:19 – How parents pick a name and what gets left out of the decision 07:01 – Living up to a middle name you did not choose 08:24 – Why she switched to her middle name in college 10:06 – Whether answering to a new name makes you a different person 12:55 – What name you would choose if you had to start over 14:17 – How it feels when a common name is constantly misspelled 17:06 – Why the Bible records so many name changes Keywords meaning of the name Haley, what does Haley mean, changing your name, name and identity, going by your middle name, biblical name changes, names in the Bible, name meaning and personality, middle name Faith, identity and self awareness Refine your purpose and leadership skills by joining the Intentional Leadership Network:  https://www.intentionalleadernetwork.com/a/2148165226/4EW66BNT

  4. Aug 22

    S6.01-135 - "Zaria" - What Does My Unusual Name Really Mean

    EPISODE DESCRIPTION This episode follows one guest through the full process of tracing an uncommon name back to its origins and figuring out what, if anything, it says about her. If you have ever looked up your own name and found three or four conflicting definitions, or wondered why a name that no one can pronounce still feels like the right one, this conversation walks through it in detail. It covers where the name came from, how the meanings differ across Arabic, Hebrew, and Slavic origins, why a child might beg to be given a different name, and how that same person grows into confidence about it as an adult. It also gets into the practical side that rarely gets discussed, including how to handle mispronunciation without embarrassing anyone, when to correct someone and when to let it go, and why so many people with unusual names quietly hand over a nickname or a middle name at a restaurant counter. Key Takeaways One name can carry several meanings at once, including princess in Arabic, flower or blossom, God has helped in Hebrew, and dawn or sunrise in Slavic and Russian. Parents often pick a name from an unexpected source, such as a television character, and then confirm it against family heritage before committing to it. A name can end up describing the work a person actually does, as with a guest whose career centers on bringing spaces to life and who once performed as a Disney princess. Children with uncommon names frequently ask to change them, and that discomfort is usually about identity and belonging rather than the name itself. Theater classes and similar confidence building activities can move a child from hiding a name to introducing it clearly. Adults with often mispronounced names learn to judge case by case whether correcting someone is worth the interruption. Offering a nickname, a single initial, or a middle name in low stakes settings is a practical workaround rather than a rejection of the real name. Travel changes how a name sounds, and a foreign pronunciation can become a lasting nickname. Searching for other people who share your full name can reveal unexpected overlap in careers, hobbies, and life direction. Name changes in scripture, such as Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah, suggest names have long marked transformation rather than simply labeling a person. Timestamps 00:00 – Why an unfamiliar name draws constant questions 01:11 – Conflicting meanings found for a single name 02:37 – Tracing one name across Arabic, Hebrew, and Slavic origins 03:36 – When a name seems to predict the career you choose 06:31 – How parents land on an uncommon name 09:16 – Whether people who share a name share traits 10:40 – How other languages create new nicknames 12:10 – What mispronunciation actually feels like over a lifetime 15:48 – Building confidence after wanting a different name 20:34 – Why names change in biblical stories Keywords meaning of the name Zaria, what does my name mean, name mispronunciation at work, unique baby names, name and identity, how parents choose a baby name, Arabic and Hebrew name meanings, name changes in the Bible, growing up with an uncommon name, nicknames for hard to pronounce names Refine your purpose and leadership skills by joining the Intentional Leadership Network:  https://www.intentionalleadernetwork.com/a/2148165226/4EW66BNT

  5. Aug 16

    S5.30-134 - Greg - How Name Meaning Shapes Identity And Behavior

    Summary This conversation looks at what happens when someone actually learns the meaning of their first name and then decides to live up to it. The guest, Greg Modd, an HR consultant and military veteran, explains how a name meaning watchful or vigilant lines up with a career built on anticipating risk, protecting people, and staying two steps ahead. Along the way the episode covers why so many people go by a shortened version of their legal name, why mispronouncing a name matters more than most people assume, what biblical name changes suggest about transformation and purpose, and how to define success using personal markers instead of titles and income. If you have ever wondered whether the meaning of your name has anything to do with how you behave, this episode gives a practical answer rather than a theoretical one. Key Takeaways Researching the meaning of your first name can change your relationship with it, even if you have disliked the name your whole life. Names carry identity, and identity tends to drive behavior, so the meaning you attach to your name can influence how you show up at work and at home. A name rooted in the Greek word for watchful connects to vigilance, attentiveness, and protective leadership, which maps directly onto HR compliance work and military service. Looking up the meanings of your children's names is a simple, low effort way to start a family conversation about purpose and character. Many people go by a shortened form of their legal first name, and that choice usually comes down to how the name feels rather than what appears on a document. Mispronouncing someone's name is a small thing that lands as a big thing, and getting it right is a basic form of professional respect. Parents often choose names to honor someone they admired, which gives the name a story worth passing on to the next generation. Biblical name changes, such as Simon becoming Peter, signal transformation and a change in purpose rather than just a new label. Defining success with concrete personal markers, such as being respected by your family, choosing joy, and meeting needs you notice, holds up better than chasing a title or a paycheck. Bringing your faith or your core values into a professional setting can create unexpected connections with people who quietly share them. Timestamps 00:42 – Why the meaning of a first name is worth researching 02:18 – Going by a shortened name instead of your legal name 03:03 – Looking up the meaning of your children's names 04:36 – The Greek origin of a name meaning watchful or vigilant 05:23 – How watchfulness turns into forward looking leadership 06:08 – Naming a child after someone you admire 08:24 – Whether people ever wish they had a different name 09:58 – What it feels like when someone mispronounces your name 12:13 – Why names change in the Bible and what that signals 16:05 – Five personal markers for defining success Keywords what does my name mean, names that mean watchful, how names shape identity, onomatology study of names, biblical name changes, going by a nickname instead of legal name, name meaning and purpose, HR leadership and identity, name pronunciation at work, how to define personal success, Greg, Gregory Refine your purpose and leadership skills by joining the Intentional Leadership Network:  https://www.intentionalleadernetwork.com/a/2148165226/4EW66BNT

  6. Aug 7

    S5.29-133 - What Your Name Reveals About You - "Noah"

    This episode explores what it feels like to carry a name most people associate with the opposite gender, and how the meaning behind a name can shape identity, personality, and life direction. Through a conversation with a guest named Noah, a Canadian woman in HR technology, listeners learn why an uncommon name creates both connection and confusion, how the Hebrew meaning of rest, comfort, and renewal can resonate with someone who never knew it, and why so many people feel their name influences who they become. If you have ever wondered whether a name is just a label or something that quietly guides how you move through the world, this conversation offers a thoughtful, personal answer. Key Takeaways A name typically seen as masculine can become a source of pride and uniqueness rather than something to change. The Hebrew roots of the name Noah carry meanings of rest, comfort, consolation, and renewal of life. Many people never learn the meaning of their own name because they view it as simply assigned at birth. Mispronunciation can feel like a loss of identity, not just a minor inconvenience. Parents often choose a name based on instinct in the moment rather than long planning. Feedback from friends and family often mirrors the meaning behind a person's name without them realizing it. People with the same name frequently feel an instant sense of connection when they meet. A calming presence and inner strength can coexist as complementary qualities tied to a name. Family history, including immigration and changed surnames, shapes how people understand identity. Across roughly 130 interviews, most guests believe their name meaning affects how they act or see the world. Timestamps 00:00 – Introducing a name that surprises people 02:21 – Discovering the meaning behind the name 04:36 – Deciding whether the meaning fits 05:12 – How parents chose the name on instinct 08:55 – Wishing for a different name growing up 10:00 – The emotional impact of mispronunciation 11:14 – Whether a name shapes personality and outlook 15:19 – Meeting someone who shares your name 17:19 – Why the host started studying name meanings 20:09 – What it means when a name is changed Keywords meaning of names, gender neutral names, biblical name meanings, name and identity, unisex girl names, name mispronunciation, onomatology podcast, does your name shape you, Hebrew name meanings, HR technology careers Refine your purpose and leadership skills by joining the Intentional Leadership Network:  https://www.intentionalleadernetwork.com/a/2148165226/4EW66BNT

  7. Jul 18

    S5.28-132 - How Your Name Shapes Who You Become - "William"

    This conversation explores how the meaning behind a first name can mirror and reinforce a person's identity, values, and way of moving through the world. The guest, whose name means resolute protector and strong-willed warrior, explains why that meaning fits him so precisely and how learning it confirmed traits he already lived by. Listeners will hear practical thinking on why pronouncing and understanding names matters for inclusion and belonging, how names were changed at Ellis Island and through the Dawes Rolls, why marriages succeed or fail through small daily choices, and how honest feedback can be delivered without softening it. This episode is useful for anyone curious about onomastics, name meaning, personal identity, and the way heritage travels through a family surname across generations. Key Takeaways Learning the meaning of your name can help you make sense of traits you already recognize in yourself. The name William carries two traditional meanings, resolute protector and strong-willed warrior, with German linguistic roots. Knowing how to pronounce and understand a coworker's name is a concrete way to build inclusion and belonging on a team. Surnames like Smith and Baker trace back to medieval England, when people's occupations became their family names. A lasting marriage is built through many small daily choices to support your partner rather than a single dramatic moment. Divorce is rarely a sudden event and more often the result of gradually withdrawn support over time. Honest feedback falls into four categories: positive or negative, solicited or unsolicited. Delivering blunt feedback works best when you first confirm the person truly wants an unfiltered opinion. Biblical name changes, such as Saul to Paul, can symbolize conversion, forgiveness, and the possibility of becoming a different person. A family surname can carry deep heritage, making it meaningful to preserve and pass on to the next generation. Timestamps 00:00 – Why the meaning of a name can shift your perspective 00:40 – Introducing the guest and his background 04:22 – Falling into HR and building a podcast network 07:40 – Learning a field faster through book club interviews 09:59 – The two meanings and German origin of William 11:31 – How protector and warrior traits show up in daily life 15:00 – Why the guest never shortened his name 22:07 – What keeps a marriage together over decades 27:36 – The alias used in bars and how a bit becomes awkward 36:56 – A four-box framework for giving honest feedback Keywords meaning of the name William, onomastics, what does my name mean, name and identity, pronouncing names inclusion, family surname heritage, Ellis Island name changes, how to give honest feedback, what makes a marriage last, Cherokee family history Refine your purpose and leadership skills by joining the Intentional Leadership Network:  https://www.intentionalleadernetwork.com/a/2148165226/4EW66BNT

  8. Jul 6

    S5.27-131 - What's in a Name... "Sean" - Part Two

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Jayma welcomes Sean back for a part 2 conversation, revisiting the meaning behind his name (Sean, "God is gracious," and Conrad, "brave counsel") and how it continues to shape his life and work as an executive coach.  Sean opens up about his roots as a fourth-generation pastor, his transition into leadership development, and how grace and bold counsel show up in his coaching relationships. They also talk about the Intentional Leader Network, this episode's sponsor, and how leadership conversations have shifted since the pandemic. The episode closes with Sean's advice on building self-awareness through honest feedback, and a look ahead at where Jayma's podcast might go next. Support the show Connect with me on Instagram… https://www.instagram.com/whats_in_a_name_podcast?igsh=N3F0NjQ3bnduc292&utm_source=qr Refine your purpose and leadership skills by joining the Intentional Leadership Network: https://www.intentionalleadernetwork.com/a/2148165226/4EW66BNT

    S5.27-131 - What's in a Name... "Sean" - Part Two
See All (138)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    WRKdefined Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    138
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved by WRKdefined
  • Show Website
    What's in a Name?