Is it possible to List Child Of by title or description instead of ID?

Okay I’ve got another dilemma. I note that in both wp_list_cats and list_cats there are ways to list the child_of categories of a certain category by indicating that category’s ID number. However with what I’m trying to do it would be ideal if there were a way to list the child_of a certain category by the title or description of the category instead.

The only work around I can think of off hand would be to replace the child_of ID number field within the wp_list_cats or list_cats with a php command to somehow echo the ID number of a certain category by refering to it by title or description but I don’t know how to code such a thing.

If anyone understands what I’m going for and can help that would be awesome. Thanks.