Growing up, I was told that Sarai meant princess and Sarah meant my princess. A convenient and sanitized explanation.
According to a more scholarly textual interpretation, Sarai means Ruler or Chieftain. But in the Masculine framing, not a wife but a pagan ruler. Others interpret it to mean quarrelsome, a different interpretation of the root word but one that again reinforces a woman to be reckoned with, a woman that might be polarizing to many but was perhaps worshipped by others?
“THOU SHALT NOT call her name Sarai.”
Names have power. You see it in Jacob and Peter as well, both situation that warrant it seems like God knows it. God wanted to be the Mother of Nations for a reason, but as His Princess.
As so, I believe, did the men who changed the narrative. It makes why in modern times people don’t knew the truth, but those who knew the language back then definitely did. It makes you wonder what else they were concealing and why?
Given the power of names and their ability to shape, you wonder why Sarai agreed to sign on in the first place. This one is fairly obvious. She she was barren and wanted a son. A son is worth a name change. Although I have a son and a daughter (thanks IVF!) so now I can to take it back. I believe in science.
What Does the Name ‘Sarai’ Really Mean? | Metaphysical Meaning of Sarai