The story behind his name, Daniel.

We have so many names in our mind, if it's a girl. But ever since we confirmed that we were having a boy, we looked through the entire name book over and over again. We couldn't find any name .. the name that once we see, we immediately fall in love with. English name for boys is so common that you see John, Matthew, Joseph, Adrian.. where ever you go.

We had few names in our mind - Aiden, Arden, Ashton.
I like those names, they sound sweet and nice.. and classy. At 36 weeks gestation, we decided on Arden, but as and when we said that he shall be named Arden, there was this feeling in my heart that this is not going to be his name. And we still couldn't get a name that once we decided on, it rings our heart. And there we went, searching for names again.

...and as time slowly passed by, our baby boy was born. We were given 14 days to finalize the name and then get our baby registered for the birth cert. Until the 13th day, the last day left for us to decide on his name.. we still couldn't decide. We thought of Shawn. But, I don't feel the connection between us and this name. We kept praying, asking God to reveal the best name for our baby boy. And as I was lying down on the bed, the name Daniel flashed through my mind. Well, Daniel is a nice name and has strong meaning. Just like Daniel in the Bible. An interpreter. A man of wisdom and knowledge. And I suggested this name to Justin. He was ok with everything literally. So, we typed a list of names that we wanted to name our baby boy and we sms-ed our mom. Out of the 10 names, she picked Daniel. She said as she was praying the other day, the name Daniel flashed through her mind as well.

There you have it. Our son's name. Daniel. And as we confirmed it, immediately I fell in love. I felt the connection between the name and our baby boy. The name that he shall lived up to. The chosen one!

Youths without blemish, well-favored in appearance and skillful in all wisdom, discernment, and understanding, apt in learning knowledge, competent to stand and serve in the king’s palace—and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. [Daniel 1:4]

Here are a couple of things I learned about the name. Not from Biblical point of view.

People with this name have a deep inner desire for a stable, loving family or community, and a need to work with others and to be appreciated.

People with this name tend to be passionate, compassionate, intuitive, romantic, and to have magnetic personalities. They are usually humanitarian, broadminded and generous, and tend to follow professions where they can serve humanity. Because they are so affectionate and giving, they may be imposed on.

This is not some extravagant story that I share, but a little story that I want to remember. And the moment we say it loud, we knew that this name fits just perfectly for him, and for this family. When Ashlynn said his name... it was the sweetest thing our hearts could hear.