What's in a Name? Jessa (Duggar) Seewald and Ben Seewald Name Son Spurgeon Elliot Seewald

Get the story behind the name the proud parents have chosen for their newborn

Published on November 11, 2015 09:45 PM

Jessa (Duggar) Seewald and husband Ben Seewald have chosen a name for their little bundle of joy.

The couple’s first child is named Spurgeon Elliot Seewald, they revealed Wednesday on their website, www.seewaldfamily.com, as well as on TLC.com.

The newborn is named for Charles Spurgeon, a British preacher who lived from 1834-1892. During his lifetime, the Baptist thinker was considered the best-known preacher in England, frequently speaking in front of audiences of more than 10,000 people. He founded a theological college in London, which is today named Spurgeon’s College.

Baby Seewald’s middle name Elliot in honor of late missionaries Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, who worked in South America.

The prolific Spurgeon’s sermons and writings have made him one of Ben’s personal heroes.

“One guy that has really impacted my life is a great preacher of the past, Charles Haddon Spurgeon,” Ben said during his interview for this week’s PEOPLE cover story.

Ben, 20, and Jessa, 23, also opened up about choosing a name for their son, who was born Nov. 5, weighing 9 lbs. 11 oz. and measuring 21 ½ inches long.

Jessa, speaking to PEOPLE as the couple was still choosing a name, said she favored names “of heroes from the Christian faith.”

“We want to give him a strong name, with a lot of meaning,” Jessa explained.

Added Ben: “He is going to have this name for the rest of his life.”

During her pregnancy, Jessa solicited name ideas from fans, with more than 100,000 people sending in their choices.

For much more on Jessa and Ben Seewald – including exclusive photos of their son, a glimpse into their lives as new parents and their plans for baby number two – pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday

What’s next for the growing family? For the couple’s second child, Jessa would love to adopt. But don’t expect future Seewald children to have names beginning with an “S” like big brother Spurgeon.

Jessa said she will not follow the “letter theme” for her brood that her parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar followed for their 19 kids, whose monikers all start with “J.”