The instigating incident. It took place last week during a virtual meeting of a writer’s group I belong to. A colleague in that group spontaneously renamed one of the other writers— a lawyer-turned-novelist, whose first name is Larry. Who is currently writing a western mystery. Who scattershots outlandish, uproarious pieces of dialogue and description throughout his novel. Last week after Larry had finished reading aloud his latest piece of writing, the colleague zoomed a nod in his direction and burst out with, “You are hil-LARRY-us,” The power of a name, generated by perception.
This occurrence started me thinking about what’s in and behind a name. Who has the right to name us? When do we get the right to say what our name is or will be? What does a name mean to the self who owns it and others who use it?
We get our name—with no say so on our part— shortly after emerging from our mothers. A name the Social Security Administration wants to have registered ASAP, if you please. An announcement family, friends and godparents eagerly await.
Nowhere is more attention paid to this process than in the palace across the pond. Where, hands down, the winner’s parents dealt him a royal flush. William Arthur Philip Louis Windsor. Names from family and history.
For more common folk, parents are prone to peruse and ponder lists for what to call their new bundle of life.
Biblical names. Except the one you shall not take in vain.
Family names, for distinguishing purposes. When a newborn is given the exact name of a parent the offspring (male OR female) is to be referred to as junior, the parent as senior. For as long as they both shall live. If the name is one handed down through generations, a Roman Numeral is added after the name. These add-ons can define or confine.
Names from the calendar. Usually April, May, June. Though Louisa May Alcott created an entire March family for her little women.
Names plucked from the garden. Violet, rose, daisy, orchid Probably more.
Top-trending. Depends on the source list. I found different ones on babynames.com and names.org.
From Original meaning: In language of origin from Farsi to Latin and all around the globe. Can be found by googling.
Angelic revelation: Wisdom and old wives tales both have it that parents who spend time contemplating their wee one’s face will somehow simply know what the name is to be.
Options: Nicknames, middle names, initials.
Court of Last Resort: For the person who really doesn’t like the name received at birth, a legal change of part or all of the name.
The name I call my self — My favorite names have come later in life. Mom, Nam, Gram. But I’m happy with the one I was given at birth. It has provided just the needed shortening or spelling option for just the right position at just the right time. I know myself to be Blessed by Grace.
Hope to see you back here next week. In the meantime—
How has the history or meaning of your name affected you and those who are close to you?
Witty, funny, informative. Here’s a “pat” on the back from a “carole-r”.