About three and a half years ago, we wrote your brother a letter. The purpose of the letter was multifaceted. We wanted to preserve our thoughts on his name in the long run, and in the short term, we were hoping to help people understanding our reasoning in choosing his unique name. I'm wasn't sure that it helped, nor that it mattered, but several people have since asked if we'd be writing another name blog. Why of course! The naming process means a lot to both of us. We take great care in our name selection. In many ways, it is the beginning of our dreaming about who you will become.
You, sir, have three names. I know, I know, let us explain. There's always a story, right?
KHOURY
There was no intention to have a rhyme-y name with your brother. It just happened. I have always like the name Corey for a boy or Corrie for a girl, maybe it's a Boy Meets World meets Girls in Action summer reading list (shout-out to Corrie Ten Boom) thing. Thus, the name was on a considerable list of possible choices. Yes, your mother made lists. Here's where the story gets odd...A couple of years ago we bought a bed frame and nightstands from the local furniture consignment store when we moved into our first house. At the bottom of the drawer was the tag from the manufacturer labeled "Khoury Inc., Architectural Woodwork." As a person that loves names I was immediately curious as to the origin of the name, particularly so as the "Kh" prefix and "ry" suffix are often seen in Khmer (Cambodian) names. I did what any good Enneagram 5 wing would do, I read and read some more. I googled pronunciation videos. I even called the Khoury Law Office in Woodway on a weekend multiple times to hear the pronunciation on their voicemail. Native pronunciation is closer to Coo-ree and Who-ree. Americanized pronunciation has shifted more towards "Corey."
What I discovered was far more significant than I could have imagined. "Khoury" (also Khouri) is a unique Arabic surname held by Christian priestly families primarily from Syria and Lebanon. There was an instant connection to the name upon learning it's origin. I had been spending quite a bit of time working with Baylor students in educating themselves and mobilizing around the Syrian refugee crisis. Moreso, however, was the deep connection your father has as a refugee himself. Much of the news coverage and responses from everyday people in our lives was bringing back to the forefront his experiences and questions about his experience. I wrote my own reflection while he wrote his:
If we had a boy anytime in the near future, we had a name, Khoury, a connection to the past and present. As the Aiden's, Jackson's, and Sophia's of the early to mid-2000's grow up people will be able to guess their age. Your name will be connected to a point in time we must never forget or repeat. In a way, you will carry your priestly name as an intercessor for those we have lost and as an advocate for those whom remain.
LEV
Alright, not so heavy with this one. Lev was a possible first name. It's short and sweet and flows well with your last name. Some might say my obsession with Chaim Potok is a bit overboard with two sons paying homage to him or his work. And while My Name is Asher Lev remains the most transformative piece of fiction I've ever read, this really wasn't the connection. We love to watch So You Think You Can Dance faithfully each summer and this past summer was a kids theme with a little Russian boy named, Lev. It put the name back on my radar as we were hoping to be pregnant in the near future and names were a constant conversation.
In Hebrew, Lev means "heart." In Russian, Lev means "lion." Lionheart. I like that connotation, particularly with the charge we've given with your first name.
EZEKIEL
The double-barreled or three name trend is all the rage at the moment. Not normally something either of us like to do if it isn't obvious enough with our naming habits over here. I was quite content with the flow of Khoury Lev. Your father liked it so much he wanted your name to be KhouryLev or Khoury-Lev. I finally convinced him of the legal difficulty that would bring if you ever decided to drop a name. He and your brother are still referring to you with the double barrel name at the moment. The compromise was two "separate first names and a middle name." Your literalist mother does not believe in this as a possibility. Any name succeeding a first name is by default a middle name, so I contest you have two middle names. You can join this debate whenever you are ready.
Ezekiel's vision of God, Cherubim-creatures, and other-worldly technology speaks to a supernatural sensitivity. Out of this, we hope that your creative spark burns bright and the things that come from your imagination invoke awe. We hope you dream as fearlessly as the prophet did and you are able to inspire others to play within worlds that you mold and shape.
Ezekiel is a name that almost landed with your brother. It has stuck around for quite some time. Your dad loves unique letters in names like "X and Z." I am fond of the book of Ezekiel. Typical Enneagram 6, eh? Ezekiel means "strengthened by God" or "God strengthens." A fitting way to wrap up your name.
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