What's in a name?

Not surprisingly I have been thinking about names. I'm gonna have to name a boy here soon so it's been on my mind. Fortunately we have many friends with children. Unfortunately they have taken numerous cool names so I feel like the selection has begun to limit itself before I could even get in the game. So anytime I hear something about names my ears perk up.

When I was younger I did not like my name much but I have grown quite fond of it. Especially my middle name, my mother's maiden name. So I have been quite picky when it comes to this son of mine.

You must know that I am in love with finding shadows of Christ and the Father's nature in the everyday mundane life. I really love it. A lot. And the foreshadowing of events like exodus and passover. Well a couple weeks ago I heard somebody talking about how we take on the name of Christ as Christians. So naturally I started to mull it over and this is where I was stuck.

Is something missed when a wife decides not to take her husband's name when they marry?

I have some friends where the wife has opted for this. I know many of the reasons wives choose not to; career, hassle, independence, etc. And don't think I'm judging if your wife didn't take your name. But is there a missing piece, small though it may be, to a joining of man and woman where the husband's name is is not adopted? I won't wade into authority (which should be a big blessing to the wife if I understand it correctly) or any other stream from these waters but you can. Just a question in my brain these days.

Initially I think there may be something lost. In the same way, as a follower of Jesus, if I would not take up his name, might I be lacking some intimacy? Am I even living in the name I've been given? Am I living as a bride under a new name?

I'll talk to wife about this and see what she thinks about her own name. That isn't a question I've asked her yet but it makes sense to me. I'm sure there's something to be learned from her on this matter.