How does arithmomancy turn letters in a name into numbers?

Arithmomancy, also known as arithmancy, is a form of number mysticism that assigns numerical values to the letters of an alphabet to derive significance from words, particularly names.1

The process typically involves the following methods:

• Standard Assignment: In many systems, letters are assigned numbers based on their position in the alphabet. A common rule is to equate A = 1, B = 2, and so on, up to Z = 26.1
• Summation: Once each letter is assigned a value, the total numerical value of a word or name is calculated by adding the values of its individual letters together.1
• Specialized Systems: Other traditions use specific historical or linguistic codes. For example, gematria is a method used in Hebrew where letters are assigned values based on their order in the alphabet, with some letters representing tens and hundreds. In some instances, researchers have applied Roman numerals to specific phrases to reach a target sum, such as the number 666.21

By converting names into numbers, practitioners seek to uncover hidden meanings or patterns, often relating these sums to historical events or symbolic interpretations.1