a new name

Jesus had special names for at least three of His disciples that we know of.  The brothers James and John He called the "sons of thunder", probably due to their straightforward behavior.  In one case, they asked if they should call down fire on some Samaritans who refused hospitality to Jesus; in another, they asked if they could sit at His Right and Left in glory.  Simon, brother of Andrew, He called "Peter/Rocky", indicating that, in his professing solid faith in Jesus as Christ, Peter and those joining him would be the rock on which Jesus would build His Church.  No doubt Jesus had other special names for other disciples that were not revealed to us in the Scriptures.

Jesus says that He will give a new name to those who overcome the obstacles to maintaining faith in Him (Revelation 2:17), fulfilling a promise in Isaiah that believers will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow (62:2).  Perhaps that new name cancels out the other negative names by which we have been called, such as when Isaiah says, you will no more be called "forsaken," and your land shall no more be termed "desolate", but you shall be called "My Delight" and your land "Married" (62:3-4).  Or perhaps the new name adds luster to existing names or self-concepts, as when The Lord reminded anxious me of the meaning of my given name, "Leonard", which means "lion heart."

Invite Jesus to reveal the name by which He calls you, whether it be a positive reinterpretation of your name or a nickname by which you can call yourself, at least in His Presence.  And allow Him to silence the negative names by which you may have been called, as surely He calls you, and me, His Beloved.