You may be wondering what Liam actually means. For starters, it’s an Irish name, meaning “strong-willed warrior” and “protector” which I find honorable (Vance). It’s important to hold that meaning and carry it around everywhere I go—it feels like a responsibility to help others whenever I can, like a superhero. Maybe not quite, but it’s fun to believe. To envision. To imagine.

Did you know Liam is spelled “mail” backwards? I have always found this funny. My name was always “mail” in elementary school—never Liam. We were eleven, and for whatever reason we thought it was the funniest thing in the world. Of course, as we got older and matured, the joke faded, but I’ll always associate it with my best friends.

 Liam has been the number one most popular boy name for the past eight years according to the Social Security Administration (“Top 5”). I’ve always wanted a more unique name and would always call out my parents, saying things like, “why Liam?” or “couldn't you have picked any other name.” However, as I matured I realized that it was just a name. A name. What is it exactly? Some would argue that it is the building block of a person. Others would argue it’s more of a social construct. Me? I tend to lean toward the latter. Sure, there's meaning associated with a name, but to me, it’s just a name. 

When I was born, my parents didn’t decide on the name Liam at random—there had to be some motive, right? I asked them and learned that I was actually named after my great grandfather, Liam Greenberg. Of course, his father removed “Berg” because of all of the anti-semitism taking place during his lifetime. I was intrigued by this and decided to do more research. It turns out that he emigrated from Russia to America with his two kids. My parents chose to name me after him because of his demeanor. He was fearless, never gave up on anything, and had a sense of humor that brought light to everyone around him. I feel like my traits, in some way or another, derive from him. I know he is always watching over me, being my “protector.” Without him, I wouldn’t be here. So to say that I am honored to represent him by being named Liam is an understatement.

My thoughts about my name have definitely shifted over my lifetime. At times it has felt like a roller coaster. Up and down, always changing. However, it only took a little research and an open mind to consider it a name worth having. I love my name and although I probably won’t name my son Liam, you just never know.

Works Cited

“Liam.” Behind the Name, behindthename.com/name/liam. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

“Top 5 Names in Each of the Last 100 Years.” U.S. Social Security Administration Baby Name Database, U.S. Social Security Administration, n.d., ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/top5names.html, Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

Vance, Alex. “Liam Name Meaning.” Parents, 17 Dec. 2024, parents.com/liam-name-meaning-origin-popularity-8630951. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

Green, Liam. Selfie of Liam Green. 15 Jan. 2024. Liam's Personal Collection