Your name

Not all that bad? Yes and no. Sometimes it is. Because your name is an interface between you and your energy. Between who you really are and the outside world. Your name can convey your energy or it can prevent you from revealing your energy.

It can help you to be noticed. Or make people ignore you. Do you know the “Simpsons”? The animated series? There’s an episode (season 10, episode 13) in which Homer Simpson decides to change his name to “Max Power”.

And that gives him a completely different image in one fell swoop. He’s a completely different person and, whatever you think of The Simpsons, they often illustrate such relationships amazingly well.

Names in general

How did that actually come about, with the names? Today we are used to having one or more first names and a family name. It wasn’t always like that.

If you take a closer look, names have a fascinating history that tells us a lot about culture, religion and social structures. They are far more than just designations, they carry meanings, stories and sometimes even spiritual connections. Let’s take a look at how first names and surnames have evolved in German-speaking countries.

In early “Germanic” or Celtic cultures, first names often had a strong connection to nature and the spiritual world. Generally speaking, in cultures close to nature, you don’t just get any name that your parents happen to like. Your name always has a meaning and there were and are cultures in which you are given a temporary name as a child until you are given your real name when you transition into the adult world. One that suits you.

Either way, names always have a meaning, whether randomly assigned or after precise analysis.

A few examples:

Wolfgang

Meaning as much as “the walking wolf”. The name comes from Old High German, wulf = wolf and gang = gang. The wolf was a symbol of strength, protection and community. A name for a leader.

Still a common name in Germany, often in the short form “Wolf” or “Wolfi”. And that’s where it gets interesting. Compare the energies of Wolfgang with Wolfi or Wolf. All three convey very different messages.

Bertram

Meaning as much as “shining raven”. The name comes from the Old High German beraht = shining and hraban = raven. The raven is associated with wisdom and mysticism. The name is no longer so common today, but imagine the wise raven suddenly being abbreviated to “Berti” …

Hildegard

Who doesn’t know the famous Hildegard von Bingen, who would certainly have been less than enthusiastic about “Hilde” or “Hilda”. The name means something like “protection in battle” and also comes from Old High German, hiltja = battle and gard = protection.

Protective powers were often associated with natural and spiritual energies and expressed through names.

Sigmund

Meaning as much as “victorious protector”. Also comes from Old High German, sigu = victory and munt = protection. The name carries a spiritual strength, often associated with protective gods or nature spirits. A “Siggi” would perhaps be considered a little less strong, what do you think?

Alwin

Meaning as much as “the noble friend”. Also Old High German, adal = noble and wini = friend. No longer very common today, although its energy would make it quite desirable.

The name is associated with friendship and harmony, both of which are considered important values in the natural world.

Finn

Meaning as much as “white”, “pure” or “fair”. The name is quite fashionable, it comes from the old Celtic fionn = white, bright. In Celtic mythology, Finn was a hero who embodied wisdom and purity.

I’ve heard mothers call out “Finni”. Perhaps just appropriate for small children.

Lorna

A Celtic name that is more commonly found in English-speaking regions means something like “those from Lorne”, a region in Scotland. The name is intended to serve as an example of how names also originated. It is not always characteristics but sometimes simply the place of origin.

Lorne is a wild and romantic area with mountains and coastlines that serve as a source of inspiration here.

Eileen

Meaning as much as “light” or “beautiful”. Derived from the Old Irish “Eibhlin”. And stands for light as a central symbol in Celtic spirituality and annual festivals.

But it is not only natural-spiritual approaches that lead to names, the Christian tradition also takes a similar approach. See:

Hans

Means something like “God is gracious”. The name is a short form of Johannes, which comes from the Hebrew (Yochanan) and means “Yahweh is gracious”. It became very popular through the spread of Christianity in German-speaking countries.

In a broader sense, the name could refer to divine grace and thus also to the connection between man and divine creation (nature). The name was often given in a rural environment, which associates it with a down-to-earth way of life. Do you know the fairy tale “Hans in Luck”?

Peter

Meaning is “the rock”. Derived from the Greek (Petros), which means “rock” or “stone”. The name refers to the apostle Peter, whom Jesus called the “rock” of his church. It became widespread in Europe as a result of Christianization.

The “rock” symbolizes stability, constancy and connection to the earth. The name has a strong metaphorical connection to the elements of nature.

Klaus

Means “the victorious one of the people”. Klaus is the short form of Nicholas, which comes from the Greek (Nikolaos) and is made up of nikē (victory) and laos (people).

In Christian tradition, St. Nicholas is a patron saint, often associated with agricultural and maritime aspects, which indirectly links him to nature.

You see, names did not come about by chance, they reflect deeper connections. Animals, plants and elements of nature served as inspiration, as it was believed that these forces could confer protection and strength. Shamanic traditions also played a role here. Names were and are sometimes asked for in rituals or received as messages from spirits and ancestors.

With the Christianization of German-speaking countries from the early Middle Ages onwards, the naming system changed. Many traditional Germanic names gave way to Christian names such as John, Mary or Jacob, which were of biblical origin. However, old meanings often remained here too, and a mixture of pagan and Christian influences emerged.

Surnames

Now we modern people not only have first names but also surnames. Which somehow seem to derive from other sources. In any case, it is usually clear which category a name falls into.

The phenomenon of surnames is not that old. Surnames appeared in German-speaking countries around the 12th century, when population numbers increased and it became necessary to identify people more clearly. These surnames developed from five main categories:

Job titles

Names such as Müller, Schmidt or Fischer are derived from professions. Today, they tell us what an ancestor once did.

Names of origin

Names such as Schwarzwald or Bayer show where someone came from. They were particularly common in rural areas.

Properties

Character traits or external features were also used, such as small, tall or cheerful.

Animal and nature references

Ancient shamanic connections are reflected here. Names such as fox, eagle or brook are reminiscent of the proximity to nature.

Ancestry

In some cultures, the father’s name also became the child’s surname. A “McDonald”, for example, is the son of Donald. A Johansson is the son of Johann. At some point, these names were then retained as surnames, presumably for the sake of simplicity.

Binding

The introduction of surnames only became mandatory in German-speaking countries in the late Middle Ages, particularly through administrative measures such as tax collection or the land registry system. People were increasingly forced into administrative systems for the sake of better control.

Old names and modern times

In modern times, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Romantic movement led to a rediscovery of old Germanic and nature-related names. People searched for their cultural roots and wanted to preserve them in their names. Names such as Alwin, Hildegard or Armin experienced a renaissance.

Even today, there is a trend to revive old and unusual names. Some parents are inspired by nature or spiritual traditions, similar to the shamans of old. Names such as Leona (lioness), Finn (white, fair) or Mira (miracle) are not only melodious, but also carry deeper meanings.

Sometimes, however, these names serve less the development of the child and more the spiritual development of the parents. But this is not always the case, many people are very concerned with the names of their children and also remember that children will grow up at some point and want to be taken seriously.

Spiritual dimensions of names

In natural-spiritual and shamanic contexts, names are often regarded as more than mere labels. A name can be seen as a kind of key to a person’s soul. In shamanic rituals, a new name is sometimes given to mark a certain phase of life or a transformation. This name connects the bearer with certain powers or spiritual qualities.

Shamanic workers often have an assumed name in addition to their given name. This was given to them by the spirits or expresses their power.

So I go by the name “Singing Wolf”, albeit rarely in public. It was given to me many years ago on a shamanic journey and I have used it in contact with my spirits ever since.

Names are more than words

The history of names in German-speaking countries shows how strongly they are linked to cultural and spiritual development. From nature-loving origins to Christian influences and the rediscovery of old traditions. Names are a reflection of our identity and our relationship to the world.

Children sometimes give themselves a different name over really long phases and then want to be addressed as such. It is advisable to take this seriously and perhaps have a look or feel out what energy is trying to be seen.

Nicknames, abbreviations, middle names, slang and nicknames

And this is exactly where pet names and abbreviations come into play. They also have a meaning, but often one that only applies to certain phases of life or that assigns the bearer characteristics that give them a false stamp.

Let’s take Wolfgang, whose meaning we have already explained above. It may be that as a little boy he is affectionately called Wolfi. That’s fine for a boy, but what happens when little Wolfi grows up?

Does the pet name still suit him then? Or does it then reflect a completely wrong energy, perhaps even block him. Such a pet name can literally keep a person down.

Or what happens to the energy of a 36-year-old man who is still called “Schnuckel” by his mother? Does this show respect for his energy, his nature? Or does this express a conscious or unconscious wish/lack of desire on the part of the mother that is not beneficial to the son?

Then there are the second names that we often have in our culture. Sometimes it is the father’s or mother’s name that is also given. But sometimes it is also a freely chosen name.

Sometimes they are used as call names or even combined to form a double name, as in Hans-Peter or Klaus-Jürgen. Sometimes, however, they disappear into insignificance and are only used when they are absolutely necessary.

Coastal names

A very exciting field is that of stage names. Incidentally, this is closely related to the spiritual names that shamans or healers adopt. With such a name, you can create a whole new energy and bring it into the world.

This is why famous artists are often completely different people in their private lives than they are on stage. They live two lives alternately, so to speak, and express this with two different names.

If this is done consciously, it is not harmful but can create great things. For example, professional energy can be separated from private life.

What you can and should do

Take a moment and make a list. A list of your first names, your last name, all abbreviations and nicknames you have ever been given and your nicknames, if any.

And then feel deeply into the energies of these names. You can feel how they all transport very different aspects of your being to the outside world.

Compare this with the image you have of yourself. Especially if you can’t stand your own name, which is more common than you might think. Are you perhaps deliberately choosing a nickname or have you chosen your middle name as your first name?

Or have you always struggled with not having the success you’d like, but can’t embrace your full name and use a diminutive instead?

It would make sense to take a deeper look at why this is the case. If you don’t like your name or one of your names, this is an indication that you are rejecting a part of yourself and not bringing it into your life.
This is very stressful in the long run and often has causes that lie deep in your ancestral line. But this can be changed, feel free to write to me mail@gerhard-zirkel.com if you have any questions or would like to take a closer look at the topic.