By Madelyn

Madelyn is a long-time follower of Waltzing More Than Matilda, and today she has a guest post on Numerology. This is a method of examining names through spiritual mathematics, and Madelyn shows you how to calculate and interpret the Expression Number in any name using Numerology. 

Numerology is a vast, ancient subject found in numerous cultures, and is full of mysticism and spirituality. But since this is a name blog, I am going to focus on one aspect that could be useful for expectant parents and name enthusiasts – the Expression Number.

Using modern Numerology, based on the assertion by Pythagoras that all things can be expressed numerically, the Expression Number is obtained by adding your first, middle, and last name (as written on your birth certificate), and reveals your strengths and weaknesses. Each Expression Number describes a specific personality type, and can possibly give you reassurance that you have picked the name, or might be useful in narrowing down your ever-growing name list. Who doesn’t want to know if their child will be a leader, or the brains behind the operation?

Values of Each Letter

1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9

A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I

J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R

S    T    U    V    W   X    Y    Z

Let’s do a few examples using the leaders of Australia, England, and the United States: Prime Minister Anthony John Abbott, Prime Minister David William Donald Cameron, and President Barack Hussein Obama II. Remember to always reduce the values of each name to a single digit and to use every name that was recorded on the birth certificate.

ANTHONY   JOHN   ABBOTT

1528657    1685   122622

34=3+4=7  20=2+0=2 15=1+5=6

7 + 2 + 6= 15= 1 + 5=6

DAVID  WILLIAM  DONALD  CAMERON

41494  5933914  465134   3145965

22 34=7 23=5 33=6

22 + 7 + 5 + 6=40=4

BARACK  HUSSEIN  OBAMA  II

219132  8311595  62141   1 1

18=9 32=5 14=5 1 1

9 + 5 + 5 + 1 + 1=21=3

You probably noticed in David Cameron’s name I did not reduce David, a 22, to a 4. If you ever encounter an 11 or 22, do not reduce it, because they have their own meanings separate from 2 and 4, and are often called “Master Numbers.” They are no more special than any other number, but in Numerology’s spiritual philosophy, they are considered elevated. There is a lot of power associated with these numbers, but, as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility.

Now, what does each number mean? Below you will find general associations for each number, but for a better understanding of each personality type, I suggest reading this Numerology website.

• 1 – leader, independent, original, courageous, stubborn, controlling, self-centered, critical
• 2 – mediator, diplomatic, cooperative, open-minded, intuitive, pushover, vulnerable
• 3 – communicator, optimistic, inspiring, creative, unfocused, undisciplined
• 4 – doer/worker, organized, dedicated, methodical, narrow-minded, workaholic, stubborn
• 5 – free spirit, visionary, charming, adaptable, critical, haughty, disorganised, undisciplined
• 6 – teacher/social worker, community-oriented, nurturing/loving, artistic, creative, argumentative, self-righteous
• 7 – philosopher/genius, analytical, studious, rebellious, moody, non-communicative, fearful, reclusive
• 8 – manager/executive, commanding, efficient, organized, domineering, oppressive, stubborn
• 9 – humanitarian, polite, charming, idealistic, arrogant, egotistical, hot-tempered
• 11 – counsellor/prophet, intuitive, sensitive, empathetic, unrealistic, self-effacing, nervous
• 22 – dreamer, spiritual, high-minded, powerful, nervous, high strung, dominating

Do the politicians’ expression numbers accurately describe them? Let me know in the comments section if you agree or disagree.

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To further explore the accuracy of the Expression Number, I like to calculate Expression Numbers for writers or physicists or actors. Just for fun, here is a short list of famous people and their expression numbers. And yes, I put Miley Cyrus in a list with Carl Sagan and Leonardo da Vinci. Probably the only time you’ll ever see that!

Alicia Christian Foster (Jodie Foster) – 3

Carl Edward Sagan – 5

Destiny Hope Cyrus – 1

Emily Elizabeth Dickinson – 7

Guillermo del Toro Gómez – 6

James Marshall Hendrix – 1

Jane Austen – 11

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci – 3

Stephen William Hawking – 5

Vincent Willem van Gogh – 1

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Since every number is considered significant in Numerology, your first name’s numeric value is important. It is a part of you and the equation, after all. Choosing Jack over Jackson or Sophie over Sophia will make a difference. Take a look at the list of popular names from Australia, England, and the United States with their respective numeric values.

Ava Abigail Amelia Charlotte Chloe Elizabeth Ella Emily Emma Evie Grace Isabella Isla Jessica Lily Madison Mia Olivia Poppy Ruby Sofia Sophia Sophie

6 5 5 3 7 7 3 1 5 5 7 7 5 3 22 3 5 5 7 3 5 5 9

Aiden Alexander Alfie Charlie Cooper Ethan Harry Jack Jackson Jacob James Jaxon Jayden Lachlan Liam Lucas Mason Michael Noah Oliver Riley Thomas William

6 3 6 11 9 3 7 7 1 4 3 1 5 6 8 11 8 6 2 9 6 22 7

It is interesting that the boys have three Master Numbers listed above, while the girls have one. I think it would be fun to start looking for more 11’s and 22’s for girls and boys. So far I have found Aatos, April, Byron, Caspar, Catherine, Colorado, David, Evelyn, Florin, Forest, Forrest, Garnet, Jesus, Jordan, Lake, Madelyn, Paloma, Rafaella, Shepherd, and Willem, but I’m sure there are many more. Share if you find any!

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Whether you believe in Numerology’s mystical aspects or not, I do hope this is at least a fun, new way of looking at names. I love unlocking secret codes to find hidden meanings, so calculating Expression Numbers has become a hobby. I use it to narrow down my lists and find preferred spellings of names. I am by no means an expert on the subject; I’m just a name enthusiast.

Please, if you have any questions or if you think this is a bunch of crazy talk, feel free to comment. Also, if I have made a mathematical error, please point it out. Those numbers are important.

Madelyn was born and raised in San Francisco, California. She lives in North Bay and has two shops on etsy called Eustace Eucalyptus and Bertram Bergamot. She loves alliteration and has been fascinated by words since early childhood. If you would like to see pictures of her life – mostly pinback buttons/badges, her dogs and her cats – you can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.