A Note to Luca: Power of Names and Nicknames

Luca C. Hervey. That's your name little one. Sometimes I daydream of cute little nicknames we might call you: "Luca Bug!" or "Luca C. Bean" but maybe your nickname won't be remotely connected to Luca. None of mine are. To your Aunt Trina I'm Beebes 90% of the time and the other 10% of the time I'm Ashley (usually the given name is only used when she isn't to happy with me or in a formal setting like an introduction). To your Papa Williams I'm Muffaleupagus or Muff for short. I have no idea how he came up with that. My best guess is it's a derivative from the Sesame Street character, Snuffleupagus or "Snuffy". I do remember being an AVID Sesame Street fan as a child so the connection is possible. There is no sweeter sound than hearing him say "Hello Muff"or hearing Trina say "Hey Beebes". It's as comforting as a mouth full of macaroni and cheese, a blanket pulled up to your chin or someone you love holding your hand. I hope they never stop. 

Let's not forget your dad. Your dad's nickname from his mom is "Bucky" (not nearly as cool as Muff or Beebes, right? Kidding. None of these are very cool, but that's not the point. And yes, there is a point and yes, I'm getting there).  Apparently he loved to rock -- and still does -- in a rocking chair when he was younger. So much so, that she gave him the nickname. 

Names are incredibly powerful and meaningful. From nicknames that make us feel safe and loved, to Biblical stories of men and women receiving new names to reflect their new position with God and in society. Names have the power to change people and to incite in them a desire to be more than themselves -- to be worthy of the name they bear. (Alma 23:16 - 17). 

When your dad and I were newly married we talked about possible names we might like. Unlike most couples we had a relatively easy time coming up with something we felt would be unique, meaningful and worthy of a child of ours. :-) I told your dad I really liked Biblical names because they hold  special meaning to Christians everywhere and in the same breath I said and I really like Luke. Now your father, being the red-headed Italian that he is, instantly suggested the Italian form for Luke, Luca. I fell in love. It was unique but not weird. And you'd always know how important your dad's mission was to him and how much he loved the people he served. I thought it was a great first name. For the middle name I wanted a family name. If the first name was not to be a family name then the middle name MUST be. The C. comes from your great-grandfather Williams and your Papa Williams. Both of them are and were Godly men who have made this little world of ours a better place by their mere existence. I couldn't think of better men to have influence your life. A life I have loved, protected, fought for, waited for, hoped for and believed in -- even more than my own.  

So that's how you became Luca C. Hervey. We hope you love your name. We hope you find honor in it, and will allow yourself to feel the symbolism and deep meaning that is yours to carry. We love you.