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Finding a Name for God
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Author:  Promised [ July 26th, 2010, 6:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Finding a Name for God
I need help getting/finding/making up a name for God, a kind of disguise for Him, for my story about the Yardenians. Can you help me out? I'm clueless, and I can't think up a single name. I want it to be masculine and powerful, but a bit whimsical, and romantic at the same time... is that even possible? I have no idea! Could you enlighten me?
Thanks,
Promised
Author:  Calenmiriel [ July 26th, 2010, 7:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Hi Promised,

I had the same problem! Then I started writing down all the things God is like, God is love, happiness, joy, peace, powerful, almighty, protecting, eternal, ect. Then I spelled each word backwards and I thought, for my story, that Eternal (Lanrete) worked best. :D You could try that. ^^
Author:  Seer of Endor [ July 26th, 2010, 8:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Take "Adonai" and flip it backwards and you get "Ianoda"
Author:  Andrew Amnon Mimetes [ July 26th, 2010, 10:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
In my story I just use The Creator...I know it's not very original, but that way the readers can be sure that I'm actually talking about the guy that made our universe and not some other God I made up for my world. :) Also, the fewer proper names in your story the easier it is for the reader to remember each one. :D But I think a name would work good, too, depending on your story.

eruheran
Author:  Promised [ July 27th, 2010, 5:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Wow, thanks so much guys! I love the Adonai one, and the Eternal one. I'll try both ways... I'll see what I come up with!
Author:  Constable Jaynin Mimetes [ July 30th, 2010, 11:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
My favorite name for God, ever, is Maleldil, from C.S. Lewis Out of the Silent Planet. I like that so much I want to use it for my own allegories.

I know there's more, (besides Aslan, duh) but my mind just went blank. If I remember, I'll tell you.

(I like the eternal one too. Lanrete has quite a ring to it.)
Author:  Ordonel [ August 2nd, 2010, 2:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
I wanted something original. My brother and I knew that our saga's summary talked about 'forges hidden within the stars', so we thought maybe something based off of Nebula. We tried Nebulon and several others that I can't remember now, but I ended up taking two words from a language from my story called 'Pelnese': Nebun + Thos. Nebun = Light. Thos = Great. The result: Nebuthos, or 'Great Light'. God is known by that name by a race of peoples who recognized God's existence and His creation of the Universe; they call Him by that name because he dwells in the Heavens.
Author:  Promised [ August 2nd, 2010, 6:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Oh, cool! I never thought of using another language to make one up... I know some Latin and Greek... I might be able to come up with something that way!?
Author:  Seer of Endor [ August 2nd, 2010, 6:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Patralma is a name for God that I made using Spanish words. Padre - father, Alma - soul. So it means roughly Soul Father or Father of Souls. Further alteration would render it Patralmis. Just a thought.
In Christ,
Jordan
Author:  Promised [ August 3rd, 2010, 5:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Thanks Jordan! I'm still searching.. I don't want to take your names, but I'm taking suggestions!
Author:  Melody Kondrael [ August 3rd, 2010, 7:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
I've played around with a lot of ideas.

At this point I think I'm just going to use the One, which is not very original, but I am going to play it up so that it makes sense. (Also, if I ever have dedicated readers, I will use the title 'the One' throughout all my fantasy books regardless of world because God is Lord of all worlds and it would be pretty cool to show that.)

L.B. Graham's name 'Allfather' was pretty good, IMO. I like the English ones; I've seen a ton of madeup names and I got tired of them. :)
Author:  Melody Kondrael [ August 3rd, 2010, 7:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
And I really loved Lewis' Maleldil too. That was such a perfect name, and yet I don't know why. :)

Would you happen to remember what it breaks down to linguistically? I remember 'eldil' meant 'angel' or 'spirit' but I don't know what the prefix 'mal' means...? Or did it never say?

It's been a couple years since I've had my hands on the last two books, and a year since I read Out of the Silent Planet. :)
Author:  Armorbearer [ August 3rd, 2010, 9:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
I am pretty boring, in my story I call God Theos which is God in Greek. I wanted to have a specific name rather than just calling him "God" but I also wanted to make it obvious Who I'm talking about. Illuvatar is what Tolkien used, that works pretty well too, but it would be cheating to use his name for God. :D
Author:  Constable Jaynin Mimetes [ August 3rd, 2010, 10:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
I don't remember it meaning anything specific, but you're right about the Eldil. They were like angels, right? I never got to read the second two books. My dad only owns the first one and the library has none...

Ted Dekker has Elyon which is cool too. I don't know how they come up with these.
Author:  Andrew Amnon Mimetes [ August 3rd, 2010, 11:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Eldil were like the angels in Out of the Silent Planet. And about the Space Trilogy, the books get progressively worse as you read. The first one's the best, the second's OK, but the third one is awful. :)

Isn't Elyon used somewhere in the Bible, or doesn't it mean something?

eruheran
Author:  Melody Kondrael [ August 4th, 2010, 9:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
I know that's what the eldil were, I just wondered if that was the linguistic basis for them in Old Solar. (I believe that is what Lewis called his language.)

Katie, do read the other books. I really liked That Hideous Strength (even though it was earth-bound). Perelandra was quite interesting too. I just can't get them from any local libraries around here and my uncle only has the first book. :( Someday... :)

I can't remember if it said at all what Maleldil meant. Seems it might've...but then again... ::shrug:: I can't remember what the word Oyarsa means either. Latin, I think?

Now you're making me want to read those books again now that I am older and can understand them better than I did at first. :)
Author:  Seer of Endor [ August 4th, 2010, 9:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Promised, I don't actually use any of the names I've suggested so you wouldn't be taking them. :)
Author:  Constable Jaynin Mimetes [ August 4th, 2010, 12:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Oh. *pained smiley* Oyarsa was defined, but I sure can't remember...
Author:  Lady Terra [ August 4th, 2010, 12:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
I've been coming up with a bunch of names, but it's hard sometimes... :?

I believe Elyon is a name of God in the Hebrew Bible... at least, that's what I think it is. :o
Author:  Armorbearer [ August 4th, 2010, 3:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
In regards to the Space Trilogy, I actually like That Hideous Strength the best of all three. As far as I know Elyon is not in the Bible, but El is a common prefix in Hebrew names of God eg. elohim, el shaddai.
Author:  Ordonel [ August 4th, 2010, 4:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Elyon is a Hebrew word that means 'God Most High'. It is used often in the Psalms--nearly every time the phrase 'Most High' is used in reference to God, the Hebrew word in that place was Elyon.

Here's a song from a Psalm that we sing occasionally in my home-fellowship:

You who dwell in the secret place of Elyon,
You who dwell in the secret place of Elyon,
Who take refuge in the shelter of Shaddai,
Who take refuge in the shelter of Shaddai,
Who say, you are my God.
Who say, you are my fortress...
Author:  Promised [ August 4th, 2010, 4:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
ELYON!!! I was thinking about using that name, but couldn't remember where I had heard it! Now I know!!! Thank you so much!
Author:  Constable Jaynin Mimetes [ August 4th, 2010, 9:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
I knew El Shaddai... It's actually a hebrew word, right? So you won't find it in most translation which is why I might not know it. But now that you mention it, Michael Card's song goes:

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El Elyona Adonai

And I spent a lot of time wondering what on earth Elyona meant until I forgot it. :D

Mystery solved. So Ted Dekker didn't make that up. So we can all reuse it to our hearts content. It's a beautiful name.
Author:  Ordonel [ August 4th, 2010, 9:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
El Shaddai is Hebrew. I know that song... in fact, I have it in sheet music! Lol.
Author:  Promised [ August 5th, 2010, 9:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Ted Dekker! I love him! I think that is where I first heard it used too. I thought it was so pretty, but, strong at the same time! You people are such a great help!
Author:  Sarah [ August 12th, 2010, 9:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
I call Him Elu or Adon alternatively. Adon came from Adonai, and Elu, well, just seemed to work. It does have "el" in it like many of His Hebrew names. I tend to think names for God should be simple, since He is so great and eternal that no human name could describe Him.
Author:  Lady Terra [ August 12th, 2010, 10:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Oh, I love those Sarah! I never thought of just taking the first bit of the name! :D
Author:  Seer of Endor [ August 12th, 2010, 12:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Sarah,
"adon" is the root of the Hebrew "Adonai" it means "lord" :)
Author:  Lord Kieren Mimetes [ September 6th, 2010, 8:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Yeah, I always use names for God in other languages.
Author:  Taiven Knight [ September 6th, 2010, 8:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
I kind of came up with the name I use in my book, Pathaar. I woke up one day and that was a word that was floating around in my head :) I kind of look at it as 'Path'aar, since we should follow His path... if that makes any sense... :o
Author:  Promised [ September 6th, 2010, 1:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Yeah, that's really cool!
Author:  Kiev Shawn [ September 6th, 2010, 1:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Janin of Yen wrote:
I knew El Shaddai... It's actually a hebrew word, right? So you won't find it in most translation which is why I might not know it. But now that you mention it, Michael Card's song goes:

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El Elyona Adonai


I LOVE Michael Card! That is one of my favorite songs by him. :D
Author:  Celestria [ September 8th, 2010, 12:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
I've had a hard time deciding this too. (I'm not very good at coming up with names.) Though I finally decided that I wanted the name to be familiar to the reader for easy pronunciation. It was a tossup between Adonai and Elohim... I think I'll do Elohim though.
Author:  Promised [ September 10th, 2010, 5:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
I decided on Elyon... love it!

I love that song too!
Author:  Airianna Valenshia [ September 28th, 2010, 12:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Good discussion guys. Since the name is already chosen though, there is no point in me adding my two bits.
Author:  Constable Jaynin Mimetes [ September 28th, 2010, 1:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
While digging around for something I found myself in the middle of my nanowrimo novel from last year which I've been avoiding and rediscovered the fact that I'd actually written in Christianity (something I once said I'd never do) and my name for God in that was Twydion.

No clue where that came from... :roll:
Author:  Lord Kieren Mimetes [ September 29th, 2010, 10:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Janin of Yen wrote:
While digging around for something I found myself in the middle of my nanowrimo novel from last year which I've been avoiding and rediscovered the fact that I'd actually written in Christianity (something I once said I'd never do) and my name for God in that was Twydion.

No clue where that came from... :roll:

:shock: lol :D
Author:  Promised [ October 7th, 2010, 3:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Some of these names are amazing. I have no idea how you guy/girls can be so creative in coming up with them!
Author:  Caeli [ November 1st, 2010, 3:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Ok, so I'm prolly too late to be of any help, but I thought I'd speak my mind anyway.

I was going to say not to use Elyon, simply because I believe it to be overused, but it's your story and you decide. :rofl: It is a wonderful, wonderful name and I have nothing against it. But, not only has Dekker written so much 'into' it, there is also a series called The Land of Elyon, same idea. I just hate for something to get overused.

I found a poster at one point that has a list of the names of God, and the meanings. One of them I picked out for my own story: Moshia, meaning 'Savior' There is also Goel, (Though I know yet another series of books that refer to God as Goel)
Author:  Promised [ November 1st, 2010, 5:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Caeli wrote:
Ok, so I'm prolly to late to be of any help, but I thought I'd speak my mind anyway.

I was going to say not to use Elyon, simply becuase I believe it to be overused, but it's your story and you decide. :rofl: It is a wonderful, wonderful name and I have nothing against it. But, not only has Dekker written so much 'into' it, there is also a series called The Land of Elyon, same idea. I just hate for something to get overused.

I found a poster at one point that has a list of the names of God, and the meanings. One of them I picked out for my own story: Moshia, meaning 'Savior' There is also Goel, (Though I know yet another series of books that refer to God as Goel)


Yeah, I agree. I should probably do some more research and find something else. I know that Elyon is a widely used name, and I would like to use something different for a change.
I'll have to look into that and find a new name... :) Thanks! You were a great help!
Author:  Promised [ November 10th, 2010, 7:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
What are some places where I could search for names for God? I don't really want to just google it... you never know what you'll get, but that might be what I have to do. :) Thanks again all. I love hearing all of the wonderful names you have used, and come up with.
Author:  Elanhil [ November 10th, 2010, 8:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
Try looking through the Old Testament, for names the Israelites called Him...Not sure if that's been mentioned before or not.
Author:  Promised [ November 20th, 2010, 7:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
I have looked through there before, but I'm wanting something a little more original. Once in Bible for school I did a lesson on the different names for Jesus and God and there were quite a few that I liked, but they didn't quite fit... You know?
Author:  Bethany Faith [ January 27th, 2011, 9:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Naming My Characters
Hello everyone,

So I'm working on my first novel this year. The storyline and main characters names are already chosen I didn't seem to have much trouble with that, but I've been having trouble trying to think of a name for my character who is supposed to represent God. In the story line He's the King, so I need a sort of kingly name. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on deciding on names? If so I would be extremely grateful for your advice.

Thank you! Your time is much appreciated!

Bethany Faith
Author:  Riniel Jasmina [ January 27th, 2011, 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Naming My Characters
Toviel. It's Hebrew based. It means God is good.

If you're looking for further advice, I always play by the meanings and root languages. My sea people have Hawaiian and African based names while my anthrogryphs have Greek and Latin based names. From there it's just how it sounds to you.
Author:  Bethany Faith [ January 28th, 2011, 10:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Naming My Characters
Thanks for the advice! I like to find Hebrew names for a lot of my stories so it's really ironic that you suggested a Hebrew name. I think it sounds very good for the character. Thank you :D

Bethany Faith
Author:  Constable Jaynin Mimetes [ January 28th, 2011, 12:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
The thread "Naming my Characters" has been merged into this one and both have been moved in the Naming forum. Hope I didn't hopelessly confuse anyone. :D
Author:  Princess Arante Weneve [ May 18th, 2011, 8:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
When I wrote my story I used one of the names for Jesus in Chinese.
Author:  Promised [ May 18th, 2011, 3:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
I'm writing a story right now where I just call my Deity (God, of course) The Creator.
Author:  Suiauthon Mimetes [ May 24th, 2011, 11:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Finding a Name for God
At first I heard Eru's "The Creator" and loved it so much that I adopted it as my own, but then I changed "The Creator" to "The Maker" because it fit so well with the way God created Murel. Now I'm considering using more than one, like how the Bible uses Jehovah, Lord, and LORD.
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