How To Find Your Destiny Number, According to a Numerologist

Destiny numbers shown on dice

What is destiny? It’s the belief that if something is meant to be, it will happen. From career opportunities, to personal goals, to your love life, to where you’ll end up living—all of those things will miraculously line up when the time's right and work out how they are supposed to, despite any twists and turns that may occur.

Sometimes, people realize what their destiny is when they are a child, and other times, people discover their purpose later on in life. Nevertheless, everyone has a calling—something that they are meant to do that is unique to their personal story. From artists like Misty Copeland and Michaela DePrince, who were destined to become principal dancers and not only command the stage, but break barriers in the ballet world, to human rights activists, like Meghan Markle, who was destined to marry Prince Harry and become a 21-century princess and use her voice for good. Everyone’s destiny is different, but important in its own way, thanks to the individual talents they possess.

If you feel like you’re not sure what you’re meant to do yet, don’t be discouraged. Just because it may be super clear for one person, doesn’t mean it will be that way for everyone. Because of this, there are different ways to get some clarity and insight into what your strengths are and find out what natural talents you possess. One way to do so is to discover your destiny number. To learn more about how you can figure out what it is and what those digits mean, we spoke to numerologist Josh Siegel.

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What Are Destiny Numbers?

Destiny numbers aren’t just numbers—they have special significance and are part of a person’s numerology chart. They are spiritual digits that point out a person’s natural talents and gifts so that they can then use that information to help themselves become who they are destined to be. Because of this, Siegel says they are sometimes also referred to as "natural ability numbers."

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How Are Destiny Numbers Different From Life Path Numbers?

Siegel tells Parade that even though some people mix these two sets of numbers up, they are actually pretty different from one another. “There will be certain fated challenges one must master with life path numbers, whereas the natural ability numbers/destiny numbers reveal what comes easily for someone,” he explains.

For example, Siegel says someone whose destiny number is one will have a natural drive to be a self-starter and not think twice about initiating their own goals. Because of this, they may fall into leadership roles relatively easily throughout their life. However, while someone with a life path number of one can end up becoming similarly successful, they may have more tension and growth to master along their journey to get there.

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'What Is My Destiny Number?'

Figuring out your destiny number is pretty simple. It involves your name and a little bit of math.

Step 1: Match up each letter in your name to the number associated with it, based on the chart provided below.

1: A, J, S

2: B, K, T

3: C, L, U

4: D, M, V

5: E, N, W

6: F, O, X

7: G, P, Y

8: H, Q, Z

9: I, R

Step 2: After you use this chart to see what number matches each letter, it’s time to find the root number of your name. To do that, reduce your first and last name to a single digit, then add up those numbers and reduce that to a single digit as well. Still a little confused? Follow this example:

Name: Rose Smith

Rose (9 + 6 + 1 + 5 = 21, which becomes 2 +1 = 3)

Smith (1 + 4 + 9 + 2 + 8 = 24, which becomes 2 + 4 = 6)

Add the results of both your names together and reduce it to a single digit: (3 + 6 = 9)

That number is your destiny number: 9

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'Do I Have To Use My Original Name?'

If your name is Kimberly, but you’ve always gone by Kim, make sure you don’t use your nickname when trying to find your destiny number. Instead, Siegel says you must use your original name, Kimberly.

“Because the number itself is derived from adding up the full name of a person as it appeared on their birth certificate, you must use your complete legal name as that determines the full karmic potential of each person,” he explains. “Every letter equals a number based on its chronological placement in the alphabet and the result of all the letters becomes your destiny number.”

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Understanding Your Destiny Number

After you discover what your destiny number is, it’s time to look more into its meaning. “It’s helpful to find out what your destiny number is because then you can get clarity on what your natural talents are so you can then begin to capitalize on your strengths,” Siegel points out. “In addition, knowing your number can also help you to understand why your skill set fits certain callings you’ll have in your life.”

Keep reading to see what Siegel tells Parade each number means, below!

Destiny Number 1

You’re a born leader, very independent and have an innate confidence in yourself. You’re someone who easily excels in a leadership position, has a trailblazer mindset and is great at setting goals. Because of this, you can find success starting your own brand, or doing something that allows you to forge your own path.

Destiny Number 2

You’re naturally intuitive and can easily understand where others are coming from when they have different viewpoints, which makes you a born diplomat. You’re good at counseling opposing sides and making deals by being kind, empathetic and compassionate.

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Destiny Number 3

You’re creatively gifted. You excel at writing, art and expressing yourself with your voice. Your talents make it easy for you to envision creative concepts, where others may have trouble doing so.

Destiny Number 4

You’re a practical person who works well with numbers and is a natural problem solver, which makes you highly capable when it comes to building out projects. You may find that others depend on you to get things done and respect your hard-working mindset.

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Destiny Number 5

You’re a free-spirited and adventurous person who excels in communication, marketing and speculative enterprise. You have a magnetic quality that often influences those who are around you.

Destiny Number 6

You’re a nurturing person by nature. You can use your gifts of serving and helping others to make a difference in people’s lives around you.

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Destiny Number 7

You’ve been blessed with a natural investigative skill set. You have an inquisitive mind and a keen eye. Plus, you're an expert researcher, which means nothing slips by you.

Destiny Number 8

You are a goal-oriented person and very ambitious, which drives you to be successful in life. You attract positions of prominence, however, you’re at your best when you’re doing something you truly love.

Destiny Number 9

You have an innate understanding of the public and what their likes, wants and needs are. Because of this, you tend to excel at any job that requires an understanding of demographics and what makes people tick.

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