R is for ROBIN

Traditionally, Jewish children are named after a person who has passed on. So, when I asked my mother who I was named after, I was not prepared for her answer.  "No one, really. We just liked the name, and it would fit both a girl or a boy."

I had hoped to learn about a long dead ancestor, preferably from the "old country," or even to learn that I was named after one of my parents' heroes or heroines.  Nope. I was named after a bird!

It did not help when my very proper English cousin came to visit us in our home in New Jersey, and after learning my name, told me, "Robin is a boy's name, not a girl's name."

There were no boys named Robin, and only two other girls I knew with the same name.  We were lonely in a sea of Susans, and Lynns and Debbies and Barbaras.

No one ever shortened my name or called me by a nickname. I was always "Robin", plain and simple.

When I got older, I realized that I was uncomfortable with the moniker. It did not fit, seemed too formal, too British.  Sometimes people would call me by other names, like "Iris" or "Claudia" or "Beth", and I would try them on.  But they did not work either.  I knew the importance of a name, both symbolic and kinesthetic, but could not settle on what seemed right.

About 16 years ago, I took a long hike with a friend,  and as we were resting on top of Breakneck Ridge, a big hawk flew overhead and landed a bit aways.  And then soared away.  I then decided that the hawk was my spirit animal symbol, and wore a pewter hawk on a necklace in communion with him.  I liked the power, the strength, the wingspread of the large predator birds. I also enjoyed feeling at one with a predator - not my usual connection!

But I recently looked up (online, of course) the significance of the name Robin - both the meanings of the name and the symbolism of the bird as spirit animal.

Robin is the shortened form of Robert, a diminutive, most often used for a child.  A nickname, as it were. (So I guess I never needed a nickname - my name was already one.)  It was originally a boy's name, and still is in England, but in the United States it is used mostly for girls. Interestingly, most of the Robins I know are either Jewish or black girls/women, so it is a powerful choice for two groups who have been and are marginalized and discriminated against.

The animal symbolism is not as outwardly powerful as that of the hawk, but it is powerful in other ways, ways I hope to embody. Hope, clear thinking, renewal, wisdom, justice, love, joy.

Perhaps we grow into our names, or our names come into us.

R my name is Robin.

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German Meaning: 
The name Robin is a German baby name. In German the meaning of the name Robin is: Famed, bright; shining. An all-time favorite boys' name since the Middle Ages. Famous Bearers: Scottish national hero Robert the Bruce and novelist Robert Ludlum.

American Meaning: 
The name Robin is an American baby name. In American the meaning of the name Robin is: Famed, bright; shining. An all-time favorite boys' name since the Middle Ages. Famous Bearers: Scottish national hero Robert the Bruce and novelist Robert Ludlum.

Teutonic Meaning: 
The name Robin is a Teutonic baby name. In Teutonic the meaning of the name Robin is: Bright fame.

English Meaning: 
The name Robin is an English baby name. In English the meaning of the name Robin is: Famed; bright; shining. Form of Robert popular since the medieval days of Robin Hood. Robinson: (English) Son of Robert 'Famed; bright; shining.' Surname.

Shakespearean Meaning: 
The name Robin is a Shakespearean baby name. In Shakespearean the meaning of the name Robin is: The Merry Wives of Windsor' Page to Falstaff.

SoulUrge Number: 6People with this name have a deep inner desire for a stable, loving family or community, and a need to work with others and to be appreciated.
Expression Number: 4People with this name tend to be orderly and dedicated to building their lives on a solid foundation of order and service. They value truth, justice, and discipline, and may be quick-tempered with those who do not. Their practical nature makes them good at managing and saving money, and at building things in the material world. Because of their focus on order and practicality, they may seem overly cautious and conservative at times.

(http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/robin)

ALSO:

There's a reason we "start singing that old sweet song when that red robin comes bob bob bobbing along."

Foremost, the red robin is a portent of spring. Robins are one of our first visual signs from the animal kingdom that the return of warmth is on its way after a long winter haul. This is a time for celebration! Bird song returns to the skies, little buds on trees are ready to burst open, and the spring flowers are poised for blooming. At long last we can put away our coats and mittens; the first red robin has been sighted!

Animal Symbolism of the Red Robin - A Quick-List

• Joy
• Hope
• Clarity
• Renewal
• Pleasure
• Simplicity
• Happiness
• Satisfaction
• Rejuvenation
• Contentment
• Bright future
• New beginning

Native American Plains' tribes attributed the return of the sun (inception of spring) with the red robin too. Indeed, many Native American beliefs attributed solar symbolic meaning to the red robin because its rosy red chest is symbolic of the dawning sun. Also, its bright yellow beak is symbolic of sun rays lighting the earth with hope. Omaha tribes believed the sun rose and set on the wings of the robin.

The robin's bright yellow beak is also symbolic of sun rays to the Native American. Native Americans attributed their beak color with being mindful of the spoken word. The robin was a sign to only present the highest truth when speaking.

Further, Iroquois and Shoshone tribe lore indicated the white ring around the red robin's eye was symbolic of prophetic vision, clarity, and great wisdom. The robin would be called upon during ceremonies when clear understandingwas needed, and quality judgments needed to be made. 

The robin brings a fresh new perspective to situations that are otherwise foggy and unclear. Try calling on robin energy for clarity when your judgement is clouded or when you need light shed on an issue.

The red robin reminds us it's time to shake the sleepiness out of our head (both figuratively and literally), get alert, get moving, and start enjoying life! Spring has sprung, tides have turned, and no matter how crummy or grey our world has been it is time for new beginnings! Enjoy the bright road ahead because it's only going to get brighter!

Not only is the robin a promise of new beginnings with the new cycle of spring in our midst, it carries symbolic meanings of cheer, joviality and light-heartedness. We can see this in the spring of the robin's step, and it reminds us of that wonderful song I quoted in the intro of this post. The song also hails the message: "Live, love, laugh and be happy" and that is precisely what the symbolic meaning of the red robin tells us too.

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animal-symbolism-robin.html