Hope is the currency of changemakers.
We’ve all heard of fears with clinical names—arachnophobia, claustrophobia, and so many others. But what about our hopes? Why don’t they have names?
This thought struck me recently, and I realized that naming something —whether a fear or a hope— gives it power. It makes it tangible, something we can focus on and nurture. At Javelina (the branding and marketing agency I run that serves those driving social change), we name important projects to signal their significance not only for the team but for myself. Many of us name our cars or even our plants (though I stopped naming mine after too many didn’t survive—it prevented me from getting attached!).
It stands to reason that naming our hopes gives them more power and influence.
So, I decided to name one of my deepest hopes: Civicana. It’s the hope that changemakers everywhere tap into the power they already hold to create meaningful impact. Naming it made it feel real, alive, and within reach.
After all, anything that truly matters deserves a name. So, what would happen if we all named our hopes?
For changemakers, hope is essential—especially in moments of uncertainty or challenge. Fear and hope often feel like opposites, pulling us in different directions. Fear constrains, predicting failure and paralyzing us with doubt: What if I fail? Hope, on the other hand, imagines possibility: What if I succeed?
In social change, fear can feel overwhelming. As one person I interviewed for my book put it, “There is so much to do, it often feels like it will never be enough.” It’s a common fear among changemakers—that the challenges are too great, the losses too devastating. Moments like the overturn of Roe v. Wade or other setbacks can feel like insurmountable defeats, leaving us wondering if progress is even possible.
But hope offers a counterbalance. It’s the belief that transformation is possible and is often the first step, even when the path is unclear. It allows us to imagine a better future and fuels the intention to take action. Together, hope and intention create a powerful antidote to fear: hope inspires belief in possibility, and intention drives us to act despite uncertainty.
Naming our hopes can be a profound act of courage, clarity and inspiration to make meaningful change. It’s a way of saying, “This matters. I believe in it, and I’m willing to try.”
I’ve been exploring the art of naming my hopes—like Civicana, for example. The process of pulling from different words and meanings to create something that feels uniquely mine has been not only meaningful but also surprisingly fun.
Now, ask yourself, “What do I want to believe is possible this year?”, and see where your thoughts take you. You might be surprised!
Here are some examples to spark your own imagination:
Luminara
Hope for calm and clarity in the darkest moments.
Inspired by lumen (light).
Soluvia
Hope for finding solutions to life’s most challenging puzzles.
From solu- (solve) and via (path).
Eternova
Hope for a brighter future for generations to come.
From eternal (lasting forever) and nova (a new star).
Connexa
Hope for having a positive impact in the lives of those we’re closest to
From connection (a bond or link) and exa (a suffix implying action or process).
Prauxis
Hope that your hard work will pay off.
From praus (gentle or forward movement) and praxis (practice or action).
Somnara
Hope for a good night’s sleep
From somnus (sleep) and ara (a suffix symbolizing peace or calm).
And yes, we can even have a little fun with it — hope for a really good night’s sleep! Because, who doesn’t need that?
Hope is a powerful force—it inspires, motivates, and keeps us moving forward, even in the face of uncertainty. So, as you head into this year, take a moment to name your hopes. Give them the power they deserve, and watch how they shape the possibilities ahead.