Numerology is an ancient form of divination that gives us a peek into our inherent personalities, motivations, and desires. Numbers have a way of segueing past our logical, overthinking minds and communicating directly with the subconscious and intuition. As in astrology, when you were born is no accident, and the name that you were given at birth is just as important.
Your life path number, derived from your date of birth, is commonly used to illuminate your journey and purpose. However, for deeper introspection and insight, we calculate the various numbers of your birth name, which include insights into the themes of Destiny (Expression), Soul Urge (Heart’s Desire), Personality, the Active number, and the Heredity number. It’s through this numerology that we learn more about how we show up in the world and how to understand ourselves more deeply.
Name Numerology Calculator
Add your full birth name (the name written on your birth certificate) to the calculator below to derive your name numerology.
What is Name Numerology?
The name numbers are important aspects of numerology because they outline the very blueprints that you were born with, similar to the zodiac constellations that the sun and planets were in at the time of your birth. Although understanding which personal year you’re currently in numerologically may help you navigate your current path, name numerology is a bit more personal, going deep into your expression, destiny, urges, and more.
“Gematria,” as numerology was called prior to the 20th century, was adopted around the world as a sacred method of divination. From philosophers to mystics to religious leaders, the practice of assigning numerological value to numbers for the purpose of attaining power and enlightenment has been a time-tested art.
It’s crucial to look at the whole picture when considering name numbers, as they work together like cogs in a wheel. Compatibility occurs when the energy of a specific name number complements another, as is in the case of a regular occurrence of odd and even numbers. Regardless, each number has its own place in the grand scheme of things.
Destiny number: When calculating the Destiny (or Expression) number, all of the letters in the full name are assigned a number and added together.
Soul Urge number: When determining the numerical value of the Soul Urge (or Heart’s Desire), all of the vowels in the full name are considered, assigned a number, and added up.
Personality number: The Personality number is calculated by adding together all of the consonants in the full name after deriving their assigned numbers.
Active number: We look to the numbers associated with the letters of the first name by itself to derive the Active number.
Heredity number: When calculating the Heredity number, use only the last name, determine the numbers associated with every letter, and add them together.
Name Number Meanings
Love it or hate it, your name is no accident! It carries within it the very blueprint that makes you who you are as a person and individual soul. Each letter of the alphabet is associated with a number, and each of these numbers has a very specific theme within numerology systems.
To determine your numerology numbers, you must simply add the numbers of the name together (consonants, vowels, etc., depending on which specific number you’re looking for) and reduce them to a single digit number. The only exception here is if the number equals 11, 22, or 33. These are known as the master numbers, and we take them at face value. They can be seen as higher vibrations of the single-digit numbers (1-9).
Destiny Number (Expression Number) Meanings
The Destiny number (also known as Expression) is derived by adding all of the letters in the name. As you can imagine, this gives a big-picture view of what you’re working with energetically. This is the self that people come into contact with when interacting with you—your very essence.
Destiny Number | Destiny Meaning |
|---|---|
1 | leader, ambitious, creative |
2 | cooperation, partnerships, emotions |
3 | outgoing, expressive, amiable |
4 | worker, grounded, serious |
5 | free spirit, traveler, knowledgeable |
6 | responsible, understanding, stable |
7 | philosophical, spiritual, questioning |
8 | wealth, success, business |
9 | teacher, truth-seeker, big-picture |
11 | depth, inspiration, revelation |
22 | builder, creator, faithful |
33 | caring, nurturing, artistic |
Soul Urge (Heart’s Desire) Number Meanings
The Soul Urge (or Heart’s Desire) number is calculated by adding together all of the vowels in the name. Unlike the Destiny number, which represents our outward expression, the Soul Urge number reflects our inner truth and motivations—the inner longings of the soul and the motivations of the self.
Soul Urge Number | Soul Urge Meaning |
|---|---|
1 | large scale, success, solitude |
2 | companionship, sensitive, affectionate |
3 | friendly, beauty-seeker, playful |
4 | traditional, dependable, organized |
5 | flexible, intelligent, adaptable |
6 | homebody, peacemaker, good listener |
7 | intellectual, conservative, quiet |
8 | powerful, confident, courageous |
9 | self-sacrificing, experienced, idealistic |
11 | selective, inspired, broad outlook |
22 | humanitarian, driven, influential |
33 | benevolent, imaginative, sociable |
Personality Number (Inner Dream) Meanings
The Personality number can be found by adding together all of the consonants of the full name. This gives us the flavor of the soul, so to speak. Sometimes this part of yourself is hidden, and it takes influential forces outside of the self to draw it out authentically.
Personality Number | Personality Meaning |
|---|---|
1 | loyal, trailblazer, dignified |
2 | trustworthy, approachable, helpful |
3 | charming, romantic, prosperous |
4 | good judgment, strategist, puts in hard work |
5 | optimistic, magnetic, witty |
6 | empathic, faithful, protective |
7 | learner, self-sufficient, unique |
8 | inner strength, generous, discerning |
9 | talented, giver, inventive |
11 | intuitive, gentle, sensible |
22 | constructive, committed, trustworthy |
33 | compassionate, harmonious, wise |
Active and Heredity Number Meanings
To further glean insight into the meanings behind the name, we look towards the Active (first name) and the Heredity (last name) numbers. The letters composing the first name can be seen as our first step into the world, our footprint, and the letters of the last name are akin to our legacy.
Number | Active Meaning | Heredity Meaning |
|---|---|---|
1 | headstrong | independence |
2 | supportive | relating |
3 | creative | artistic |
4 | conservative | dutiful |
5 | adventurous | vacillating |
6 | helpful | service-minded |
7 | studious | believer |
8 | competitive | powerful |
9 | patient | nurturing |
11 | inspiring | accomplished |
22 | networker | pragmatic |
33 | authoritative | evocative |
How are Name Numbers Calculated?
You can use a calculator to add up the numbers of the name, but we suggest going the old-school route with pen and paper. This way, you get to see each and every one of the numbers that compose the birth name, which is important as each, as you’ve seen by now, holds its own energy. The sum total is simply the end result that gives us an overall view of your numerology reading.
Soul Urge Number Calculation
To calculate your Soul Urge number, write out your full name, and circle each of the vowels within the name - A, E, I, O, U (and Y if preceded by another vowel or if there is no other vowel in the syllable). To determine which numbers go with each vowel, assign each letter a number based on its position in the alphabet. For example, “A” is 1, “B” is 2, “E” is 5, etc. Once you reach “I,” which corresponds with 9, start over at 1. Reduce to a single digit (stop reducing if you arrive at a master number, 11, 22, or 33).
Destiny Number Calculation
To calculate your Destiny number, write out your full name and assign all of the letters—vowels and consonants—in your name a corresponding number (“A” is 1, “B” is 2, “C” is 3, etc.). Once you get to the letter “I,” which is assigned the number 9, start at 1 again with “J.” Add the numbers together and reduce them to a single digit (outside of master numbers 11, 22, and 33).
Personality Number Calculation
To calculate your Personality number, write out your entire name and circle all of the consonants. Assign each a number (2 for “B,” 3 for “C,” 4 for “D,” etc., remembering that “J” starts the cycle at 1 again), and add up the total. If your sum equals a master number such as 11, 22, or 33, do not reduce further.
Active Number Calculation
To determine the Active number in your numerology chart, simply write out your first name (as it appears on your birth certificate) and add all of the vowels and consonants in relation to their corresponding numbers (“A” is 1, “B” is 2, “C” is 3, “J” is 1, etc.). Reduce to a single digit, or keep it at 11, 22, or 33.
Heredity Number Calculation
To calculate the Heredity number, jot down the last name given to you at birth. Sum up all of the vowels and consonants in the surname by assigning a number to each (“A” being 1, “B” being 2, “C” being 3, “J” being 1, etc.). Unless your sum equals 11, 22, or 33, be sure to reduce it down to a single digit.
Should I Use My Full Name?
Most numerologists agree that considering the full name given at birth is the most accurate way to draft a numerology chart. It’s a good idea to generate your chart using the natal name first and foremost, including the middle name and any “Jr” or “Sr” suffixes.
The caveat here is that some people go by a nickname or married name and have found that their birth name no longer resonates as they’ve begun to embrace a new identity. If this is the case, it’s recommended that a new numerology chart is drafted using the new name.
As anyone who’s been married or has found out that they’re adopted can attest, a whole new energy comes with the event of the name change or the revelation of the actual birth name as compared to the adopted name. Either way, it’s empowering to embrace the name given or transitioned into, as there are lessons learned through each.
Pythagorean vs. Chaldean Numerology
There are various schools of thought when it comes to numerology methodology. Pythagorean numerology, invented by Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras, encompasses the modern translations of the numbers, while Babylonian Chaldean numerology assigns a different set of numbers to the letters.
There are six core numbers in Pythagorean numerology, including the life path number, Destiny number, Expression number, Soul Urge number, etc. This is the methodology that Western numerologists typically follow. Meanwhile, the Chaldean system of numerology mainly focuses on numbers 1 – 8 (seeing 9 as too divine to touch) and places greater importance on the current name rather than the birth name.
While Chaldean numerology is based on Vedic numerology and much more ancient (and therefore seen as the more accurate of the two), it’s also far less popular. Simple googling of the core numbers will show you that the Pythagorean method of numerology is the name of the game, at least in the Western world. While it’s all well and good to expand your knowledge and test various systems of numerological divination, it’s best to focus your efforts on the more widely-known method of numerology.