What’s the story behind your nickname?
Nicknames — they stick.
Sometimes they’re funny. Sometimes they’re strange. And sometimes, they carry more weight than we’re willing to admit.
Back in university, I picked up a name that still echoes in my memory:
Belladonna Atropa.
It wasn’t random. It was coined from a mix of my surname and my passion for Pharmacognosy. I was captivated when our lecturer introduced the plant Atropa belladonna — dark, potent, powerful. It made an impression on me… and apparently on my classmates too.
The nickname spread quickly. At first, it was a clever nod to my love for medicinal plants. But over time, I noticed something deeper. At the same time, many called me “Belladonna,” only a few — the sincere ones — stuck with my real name, my surname.
There was something respectful in that—something grounding.
👤 Not Just What They Call You…
That nickname became part of my story, but it also taught me something:
People will often name you based on what they see, what they assume, or what’s trending in the moment.
But God doesn’t do that.
God calls you by your true name — the name He gave you.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.”
— Isaiah 43:1 (NKJV)
While others saw “Belladonna” — the potency, the mystery, even the danger — God saw a man created for purpose, not just power.
🧠 What’s In a Name?
In Scripture, God often changed names to reflect destiny:
• Jacob (supplanter) became Israel (prince with God)
• Abram (exalted father) became Abraham (father of many)
• Simon became Peter — a rock
Their old names were rooted in their past.
Their new names were tied to God’s plan.
🔁 My Reflection
Looking back, I don’t despise the nickname — it marked a time, a passion, a chapter of my life.
But I’m not defined by it.
I’ve come to embrace the truth that God knows my real name — and in Him, I’ve found identity beyond human labels.
“To the one who is victorious… I will give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.”
— Revelation 2:17 (NIV)
🙌 Friends and Family, Take This With You
You’re not just the nickname you were given.
You’re not just “the smart one,” “the strong one,” “the quiet one,” or “the fixer.”
If you born-again you are a child of God, called by name, redeemed for a purpose.
📣 Call to Action:
💭 What nickname did you carry?
⚒️ Has it shaped your identity — for good or bad?
🙏 Take a moment to ask God: “What do You call me?”
✝️ A Personal Invitation: Let God Call You His Own
Friend, maybe you’ve been called many things — some good, some painful — but here’s the most powerful truth you’ll ever hear:
God wants to call you His.
He’s not waiting for you to fix yourself. He’s already made a way through Jesus Christ.
No matter your past, your nickname, your mistakes — you can receive a new name, a new identity, and a new beginning today.
🙏 Salvation Prayer
If you’ve never received Jesus into your life, or you want to come back to Him, pray this sincerely from your heart:
“Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that You died for me and rose again to give me a new life. I ask You to forgive me and cleanse me from all my sins. Today, I invite You into my heart as my Lord and Saviour. Give me a new name, a new identity, and help me to follow You all the days of my life. Amen.”
🎉 If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of God! You are now a new creation — old things have passed away, and everything has become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
🔗 Reach out, find a Bible-believing church, and start walking in the identity and purpose God has for you.
The Message Bearer, Cornelius Bella
corneliusbella 
Having minored in biology a million years ago, I was delighted to see a “nickname” post with such a Linnaeus tinge to it 😀
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