In 1969 the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus was replaced by the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. However, the first reading and the Gospel retain an emphasis on the word "name". According to the Roman Calendar (Cal. Rom 1969) we celebrate the Solemnity, an occasion on which" the giving of the Holy Name of Jesus is especially commemorated".

In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet asks "What's in a name? Rather unconvincingly she replies to her own question: "That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet." She longs for Romeo to change his name so that they can marry in safety since as she says the name is no part of the person.

Perhaps in love stories that may be true but not with the name of Jesus. Joseph named the child "Jesus" because Jesus means "God saves". Jesus' mission is "to save his people from their sins".

In Acts Peter told his listeners that "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (4:12).

Was the name of her child one of the things Mary, Mother of God pondered in her heart?