A few days ago, I left my session with a medium with the strange sensation of having finally put words (and numbers!) to what I’d been sensing for a long time. By methodically analyzing the numerology of the letters of my first name, the expert had, as it were, taken an X-ray of my character. And, against all odds, each of her interpretations resonates with who I am. Who I really am!
This medium session on the numerology of letters came with a disconcerting sense of precision, which—for me—showed the extent to which a simple first name can reveal new depths of one’s inner self. As we approach the end of the year—past another successfully survived Mercury retrograde, no less!—now is a great time to consider setting your intentions for the next 12 months, finish up your journal, and reflect on new goals to set in 2026. The numerology of letters is an interesting mystical practice that can reveal quite personal parts of yourself, and it’s pretty fun to do alone or with friends. Whether you’re already a fan of using spirituality and astrology to provide a framework for guidance in your life, or you’re mystic-culture curious, here’s what I discovered about the numerology of letters:
Letter numerology—what your first name reveals about you
What if our first name could also be the mirror of our soul? That’s the premise of letter numerology. Since ancient times, many have seen numbers as the secret language of the universe. It’s an idiom of a different kind, one to which I myself have recently been made aware...
When I discovered letter numerology thanks to a visit to my medium, she told me that my first name is not just a set of sounds chosen by my parents, but “an energetic imprint” that has accompanied me since my very first breath.
The concept is simple: each letter supposedly corresponds to a number, which carries a meaning, and an almost emotional tone. 1 speaks of willpower, the 3 of creativity, the 7 of deep intuition... It’s as if the alphabet itself had been coded to reveal our strengths, our weaknesses, desires, and needs. What struck me was just how different this approach is from birthdate numerology.
Numerology according to date of birth is about unpacking your life’s purpose for the year ahead: the structure of “destiny” and the trajectory you’re meant to follow. For example, if you calculate that you’re in Year 1, that symbolizes a new cycle, and time for big decision-making. Year 2 is about emotional balance and entering deeper relationships. Numerology of letters, which analyzes your first given name, is more about your personhood and how you move through the world. One sets the road, the other decodes my own unique way of traveling it.
Cross-reading these two styles of numerology, I got to know myself in a totally new way.
How do you calculate the numerology of the letters in your first name?
The methodology is very similar to that for calculating your life path. Here’s how to find the numerology of the letters in your first name:
Step 1: begin by assigning a number to each letter, using the classic grid from 1 to 9. A becomes 1, B becomes 2, C becomes 3...
The table below will help you find the equivalences.
| 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 |
Step 2: write down your first name, associating each letter with the corresponding number.
In my case, JEANNE = 1 + 5 + 1 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 5.
Step 3: add these numbers together, then reduce the total to a number between 1 and 9, unless that number is 11, 22, or 33, which are considered “master numbers” and have their own interpretation.
In my case, JEANNE = 22. (A master number, which I don’t reduce.)
Step 4: discover the interpretation associated with the final number found, for example, a number from 1 to 9, or one of the master numbers 11, 22, 33.
How do you interpret letter numerology?
Once you’ve determined your number, the key is to discover its meaning. Whether it’s a number from 1 to 9 or one of the “master numbers” 11, 22, and 33, you’ll find the associated meaning below:
If your name calculates to 1, this means you express initiative, boldness, and the ability to chart one’s own course. It’s the strength to stand out from the crowd and carry your uniqueness with confidence.
The 2 embodies empathy, diplomacy, and the art of creating harmony. It reveals a character attentive to others and sensitive to relationships.
The 3 radiates joy, spontaneity and communication. It symbolizes artistic energy and a talent for making oneself understood with charm.
The 4 represents organization, reliability, and patience. It’s about anchoring and working hard to build something concrete.
The 5 stands for movement, adaptability and curiosity. It attracts change, travel and experimentation.
The 6 embodies care, family, and protection. It reflects a strong sense of justice and service to others.
The 7 is inward-looking, spiritual, and analytical. It attracts knowledge and deep questioning.
The 8 symbolizes authority, power, abundance, and mastery of the material world. It highlights ambition and the ability to achieve one’s goals.
The 9 represents generosity, open-mindedness, and universal inspiration. It encourages collective thinking and transcends the ego. These are often ancient souls whose expanded vision of existence gives them a deep need to support and guide others.
As for the dark masters:
Master number 11 is a powerful channel for spiritual inspiration and creativity, carrying a very high mystical energy. Intuitive, clairvoyant, and spiritually awakened, it requires a balance of sensitivity and inner strength.
22 is the most powerful master number, because it embodies a unique energy, that of the “builder.” This person is the one who transforms dreams into concrete projects, often with a global or collective scope.
The 33 embodies compassion and selfless service. A symbol of harmony and goodness, it’s a master number linked to teaching, healing, and positive influence on others.
Letter numerology thus becomes a kind of inner spotlight, illuminating our strengths, frailties, and the unique way we look at the world. Personally, having a rough guide to my own personal nuances has given me some confidence and comfort for understanding myself. I now see my first name not as a label, but as an intimate spiritual signature on the world.