What’s in a Name? Guest post by Hannah Hood Lucero

   I discovered this author through the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook group back in April of 2024. I read the first book in her epic Sons of Vigilance Series on Kindle Unlimited, then immediately bought all 4 books in paperback. She had 5 books out at that point, and has since written 4 others plus a story for an anthology of pro-life stories. Her books are seriously epic. 

I asked her if she would write a guest blog post, whatever she wanted to write, and she graciously agreed, even though she is busy and her husband recently got back from deployment. Thanks Hannah. 

What’s in a Name? Guest post by Hannah Hood Lucero

As an author, I think about names a lot. I’m forever scrolling through baby name websites, trying to find unique and meaningful monikers that haven’t been overused by other writers, and which aren’t similar to other characters from my own works. It’s a bit exhausting, to be honest. 

When I was preparing to publish my debut novel and considering what my pen name should be, I asked my husband what he thought. Being a mysterious wallflower, his instinct is to consistently lean toward anonymity. As soon as he told me he wouldn’t use his real name, I had my answer. The social butterfly inside gasped. My whole spirit rejected the idea of a bookish alias. This rose, by any other name, would utterly and completely STINK! I earned an eye roll when my response was, “I’ll use my full name. Like, the entire thing.” And so, Hannah Hood Lucero (the author) was born.

Growing up, I hated my middle name—which I dropped upon filling out my marriage certificate. Most girls have something sweet like Elizabeth or Jane or Lynn. My parents went the family name route, and mine was Evans. It wasn’t until after I had my own kids that I began to appreciate the uniqueness and beauty of it. And when I started brainstorming characters, I jumped at the chance to make my debut main character a namesake. Evans Sutton became the level-headed teen I wish I had been, and she has popped up from time to time in other books.

I recently drew on the poor attitude of my younger self, writing an entire book about characters who want nothing more than to escape the attention their identities bring. In A Name to Remember, Isobel Lee is famous because of a national tragedy. Hank Olsen is infamous due to the sins of his family. Together, they come to realize that the only identity that matters is the one they have in Jesus. And they each face the question: Will I take the hand I’ve been dealt and rise to the challenge of living a life that glorifies God?

I am intrigued by the multiple instances in scripture, when people were given new names. Upon God’s covenant, Abram’s name changed to Abraham, father of a multitude. His wife, Sarai, became Sarah to designate her the mother of nations. When Jacob wrestled with God, he walked away as Israel, signifying his new status as a prince with God. Joshua (which means “the Lord saves”) was known as Hosea prior to being Moses’s successor. And, of course, we know that Jesus renamed Simon to Peter, he called James and John “sons of thunder”, and Saul—persecutor of Christians—became Paul upon his conversion.

What does your name mean? What do people think about when they see it pop up on a social media thread or email? When I see Mark’s posts and comments, I know a great book recommendation is to follow. My prayer is that my name makes people smile and think of faith-filled fiction, quippy banter, and characters worth remembering.

Find out more about Hannah and her books at HannahHoodLucero.com