What Does My Name Mean? The Meaning of Names Can be Very Helpful for Many
>> Tuesday, March 20, 2012
There is power in a name. Our very sense of reality is governed by the language we use. We name objects, nations, companies, and concepts with the greatest of care to ensure that the names convey the essence of what we are representing. And yet, many people do not consider the potential importance of human names. It is not uncommon for parents to name their children solely on their idea of what sounds pleasant to them, or exotic, without any real thought about meaning. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but people who assign names without looking into the history, origin, and significance of those names may be missing out on some fascinating information.
For parents, knowing name meanings can greatly help to narrow down decisions in the selection of names for children. If it comes down to a tie, it makes sense to pick the name with the most desirable or appropriate meaning. Similarly, the origin of the name may play a role in the selection, especially if the family would like to preserve its heritage through the assigning of names linked to the family nationality, culture, or religion.
Most of us are assigned our names at birth – we have no control over them, unless we want to legally change our names later in life. Even if our parents were unaware of the meanings of the names that they assigned us, many people find a new sense of identity when they investigate the meaning and origins of their names. Around the world, children ask, “what does my name mean?" In some cases, they find that their families did know the meaning of the name when it was selected, but did not mention it for whatever reason. In other cases, the families picked the name for aesthetic reasons only. Even if the name meaning is coincidence, many researchers of name meanings connect an idea of faith or destiny to the meanings of names. In the minds of many, discovering the meaning of their names, at any age, helps to put perspective on their lives and personalities. Names with meanings like “perseverance," “peace-maker," or “patience" can bring comfort and a sense of peace and purpose to those who may believe that the events of their lives, good or bad, are linked to a higher cause.
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For parents, knowing name meanings can greatly help to narrow down decisions in the selection of names for children. If it comes down to a tie, it makes sense to pick the name with the most desirable or appropriate meaning. Similarly, the origin of the name may play a role in the selection, especially if the family would like to preserve its heritage through the assigning of names linked to the family nationality, culture, or religion.
Most of us are assigned our names at birth – we have no control over them, unless we want to legally change our names later in life. Even if our parents were unaware of the meanings of the names that they assigned us, many people find a new sense of identity when they investigate the meaning and origins of their names. Around the world, children ask, “what does my name mean?" In some cases, they find that their families did know the meaning of the name when it was selected, but did not mention it for whatever reason. In other cases, the families picked the name for aesthetic reasons only. Even if the name meaning is coincidence, many researchers of name meanings connect an idea of faith or destiny to the meanings of names. In the minds of many, discovering the meaning of their names, at any age, helps to put perspective on their lives and personalities. Names with meanings like “perseverance," “peace-maker," or “patience" can bring comfort and a sense of peace and purpose to those who may believe that the events of their lives, good or bad, are linked to a higher cause.
