The Power of Shamanic Spirit Names
- Ioan Fazey
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
Understanding the ancient practice of spiritual naming in shamanic traditions
In shamanic traditions, a name is far more than a simple identifier—it is a living connection to the spirit world, a reflection of one's true essence, and a gateway to deeper spiritual understanding. The practice of receiving and working with spiritual names represents is a profound aspect of contemporary shamanic practice.
The Sacred Nature of Names
In shamanic understanding, names carry power because they exist simultaneously in multiple realms—the physical world where they are spoken, and the spirit world where they resonate with deeper truths. For example, throughout history, spiritual names have reflected the medicine, gifts, and roles of practitioners within their communities. Black Elk, the respected Lakota holy man, carried a name that reflected his profound spiritual vision. Maria Sabina, the Mazatec healing woman, was known by names that spoke to her evolving relationship with plant medicines. Rolling Thunder, the Cherokee medicine man, received a name that embodied both his powerful presence and his ability to channel healing forces.
Today's practitioners recognize that such names represent universal principles of how spirit can work through individuals, while honouring these traditions by developing practices appropriate to our time. This understanding stems from the shamanic worldview that everything—including names—possesses energy and evolving power.
Importantly, a spirit name is not simply given or chosen; it emerges through direct revelation from the spiritual realms. In contemporary practice, a spirit name will likely come through ceremony, vision quests, shamanic journeys, or significant life transitions. This is often facilitated by teachers or peers that will help a practitioner go into transpersonal realms to explore a name that represents their essence. The name that comes from spiritual channels carries with it specific energies, teachings, and responsibilities that help shape the recipient's path and purpose. A spirit name is thus sacred, and is an active element that will shape, evolve and sometimes change over the life of a practitioner.
Walking with Spirit Names in Modern Practice
Today's shamanic practitioners find that working with spirit names offers unique opportunities for transformation and healing. The names can serve as a guide to what is important, and how a practitioner is uniquely part of the wider world around them. They help a practitioner by giving them guidance during major life transitions, to help them develop their practice or enhance their understanding of their role of serving their communities. Many contemporary practitioners speak of their names as spiritual companions, offering guidance and insight as they navigate their path of service.
My own spirit name – Dawn Song – came to me during ceremony and where a fellow practitioner conducted a shamanic journey to find the name for me. This was a deeply personal and humbling experience and the name I received resonated deeply with me at that time. But the name – and its significance – has also unfolded over the years, revealing to me new layers of meaning as I gained greater understanding and new capabilities as a practitioner and facilitator of others’ learnings. Over years of working with my name it has not just brought new meanings, it also brought new responsibilities.
As contemporary shamanic practice continues to evolve and practitioners find ways of incorporating it into contemporary life, the wisdom of spiritual naming remains a powerful tool for stepping into who we are, and how we can be of better service in a world of change. By understanding names as living connections to spirit, and incorporating them into practice, we can enhance our ability to step out of ego and enhance our ability to walk a spiritual path and be of service to others.
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