What’s in a name

Have you ever wondered how you got your name? What it means?

As parents we are given the responsibility to don a child with a name that will become their identity for as long as they live and beyond. 

I think most new parents do their best to make sure the name they select is a good fit. Perhaps the name is one that has been passed for generations. It could be the same name as Mom’s favorite actor or a role model the parents admired. I would like to believe parents try to avoid names that can cause a teasing but perhaps the name given is intended to make them strong (reminds me of the song “a boy named Sue”).

Does the child live up to their name or does the name conform to the child? I think of the complaining Karen or the glamorous Barbie. How about the movie star that named her child Apple? I wonder how she feels. It is not surprising that some people hate their name and legally change it or adopt a nickname instead.

Some names are a part of a fad. Tammy was very popular when I was born and there was always one or two in my class. My daughter Brittney had the same experience. (I did spell it different to be unique). Popular baby names today are ones from long ago like Pearl, Ruth etc.. These type of names tend to recycle over time.

My son Ralston was named after his father, but Ralston was just too much of a name for a tiny baby. We called him RJ until he started school (unless he was in trouble then he got the whole mouthful.. Ralston Orlando!) He did eventually grow into his name and now only family and close friends know him as RJ. He will always be my baby so he is still RJ to me. 

I was in a meeting one time and the presenter was named Hannah Fofanna (true story). I thought her parents must have had quite a sense of humor but the poor woman…. It must be a continuous struggle. Perhaps she will gladly change it when married. 

For women taking on a married name is a choice and unlike Hannah Fofanna anything but is not always better. Some ladies I know said they would even turn down a date if their suitor had a really bad name. 

So I guess there really is a lot in a name. Maybe more than we could imagine. I was named after Tammy Wynette and my grandmother thought Tammy Sue was the most beautiful name she ever heard. Even though there are a lot of Tammy’s out there that is what makes my name special to me. I am not rich country singer but I think it fits don’t you?