'Lauv' comes from the Latvian word for lion, and my mom's side of

In the words of Lauv, the singer speaks of his name, saying: “‘Lauv’ comes from the Latvian word for lion, and my mom's side of the family is from Latvia—it's a place I've been probably 15 times or more. I'm also a Leo, and my real name, Ari, means lion.” This saying, simple and personal, is rich with the ancient power of identity. For in it we see the weaving together of heritage, astrology, and destiny, each strand binding to form a symbol of strength. The lion, across all ages, has been a creature of majesty, courage, and kingship. To bear its name is not mere chance, but a reminder of the great responsibilities that lie upon the one who carries it.

The ancients revered names as sacred. To them, a name was never just a word, but a prophecy, a calling. When Lauv embraces his name and its meanings, he follows in this tradition, declaring not only who he is but who he is called to be. The lion was the emblem of warriors, carved upon shields, banners, and crowns. It was said that those who bore its image must live with courage, for to falter in fear would dishonor the mighty beast. Thus, to be named Ari, to call oneself Lauv, and to be born under Leo, is to live thrice-marked by destiny.

History gives us many who bore the lion as their symbol. Consider Richard the Lionheart, King of England, whose emblem was the lion rampant upon his shield. His name inspired fear in his enemies and faith in his people. Though he was a man of flesh, flawed and mortal, the lion’s mantle pushed him toward valor and renown. His deeds were measured against the creature whose name he bore. In the same way, Lauv’s words remind us that the names we hold and the symbols we inherit are not light garments, but heavy cloaks that shape our path.

We may also look to the story of the Latvian people, whose land and culture endured under centuries of conquest and domination. Yet within them, like the lion in a cage, the spirit of freedom and endurance remained alive. That Lauv carries within himself the blood of Latvia is no accident. It ties his name not only to the animal of courage but also to a people who have roared against history’s silence, enduring and rising again. Thus, the lion is not only an animal but also the spirit of a people, and in carrying it, Lauv carries both family and ancestry.

The lesson for us is this: know the meaning of your name and honor it. Do not take lightly the heritage you carry, nor the signs that shape your identity. Whether through the blood of your ancestors, the sign under which you were born, or the symbols that surround you, there is a story being told about your life. To ignore it is to live half-asleep. To embrace it is to walk with awareness, to rise each morning with the strength of the lion in your chest.

Practically, what should one do? First, learn your roots. Ask of your parents, your grandparents, your elders, what names mean, what stories lie hidden in your lineage. Second, embrace your symbol. Whether it be a lion, an eagle, a tree, or a star, let it remind you of your strength when you falter. Third, live worthy of your name. If your name means courage, do not live in cowardice. If it means wisdom, seek knowledge. If it means love, let love flow from you freely.

For names are seeds, and when they are honored, they grow into mighty trees. To carry the lion is to remember always to live with courage, to guard those you love, and to walk with dignity. As Lauv reminds us, one’s name, one’s sign, and one’s heritage are not random—they are the foundation of identity, the pillars of destiny. Let us, then, carry our own names with reverence, and live so that when our names are spoken, they roar with meaning.