What’s in a Name? — Yours? Your Kids’? Your Dog’s?
Today, as I write, it’s July 4th — a day commemorating the day in 1776 when we became no longer subject to British rule. America was born and the day is appropriately called Independence Day. The 4th of July is also the date my wife was born. Yes, she’s independent, but after our 64 years together she’s gotten to be manageable (most of the time). However, the most fascinating thing is not the date of Mimi’s birth but how she got her name — tagged Mimi by younger brothers for whom Maryann was too much for little mouths.
Name — Lost and Found
The telegram sent to relatives announcing the first born had safely arrived to mom and dad (Mary and Perry) read: Mary and baby girl doing fine. A return telegram to Mary and Perry soon arrived — with a discrepancy. The variance was attributed either to a Western Union misprint in the initial telegram or a misread by those receiving it. Whichever, something had been lost in translation — something that became easier to accept than to amend. The return message read: Congratulations. Happy for you and baby girl Maryann. The surprised new parents hadn’t decided on a name and Maryann had a happy and attractive ring to it, so Maryann it was. And Maryann it is. A name is important but it’s not always so easy to come by.
Compare
After 85 years the Washington Redskins — my brother was one — was obliged to pick a new name. So this NFL team will take to the field this fall as the Washington Commanders — a naming process that took 18 months. The name came after well over 50,000 fan submissions were narrowed to 1,200; further reduced to 3 by a group of executives from the team’s marketing and legal departments while advised by a branding company; and finally, through endless meetings these 3 were thoroughly vetted involving logos, helmets, uniforms, etc. before a focus group picked the name (excerpts Columnist Marc Thiessen, Washington, D.C.). Naming something public that’s 85 isn’t like naming a baby. But naming a baby has its challenges.
Every Name Has a History (and a Meaning)
The etymology (derivation) of names is an endless pursuit today, but before the internet there were only books to consult. Many books! Girls’ Names, Boys’ Names, Uncommon Names, Name Your Baby are books that come to mind. Somewhere in our defunct library there are four or five very thick frayed books with those titles above (or facsimile). When forced finally to decide — “encouraged” by the hospital — we gave our first born a name whose nickname derivative we liked. Our second child was named for a person across the hall from us whom we hoped our child would become like. Our third got a family name but not before grandma had piqued it a bit. What about meanings? A topic appropriately called mixed-bag?
A Reflection on Meanings
Probably most people — like me, until I was an adult — don’t know the meaning of their names. (Do you?) That’s because our names don’t make us. We make our names — e.g. A good reputation [name] is rather to be chosen than great riches (Prov.22:1). A name is two things — a label and a persona (soul and spirit). I used to think the name Sylvester depicted a sissy weakling but the Rocky films starring Sylvester Stillone silenced that thought. Woods’ father called him Tiger while naming him Eldrick Tont Woods. Forget Eldric Tont. Tiger is the man his father envisioned and Tiger he is! In like manner: Jesus took one look (at Simon) and said, “From now on your name is Cephas” (or Peter, which means “Rock.” John 1:42). A Rock he was!
Who Are You or Rather Who Are You Becoming?
Your name does not describe you. You describe your name, and all of us are still working on our persona. Someone else is too. God! We are told in the last book of the Bible that He: will give to each [whose life is entrusted to Jesus Christ] a white stone with a new name written on it that no one knows except the one who receives it (Rev. 2:17). That name will be ours forever, and He who knows every star in the sky by name will know each of us personally by our special secret name — finally, the real you, the real me.
From the Lofty to the Lowly
Of all naming practices, probably the names we give our dogs are the most transparent. Trouble is a name I remember an owner had given her dog. It was sooo appropriate. Lady Malasada Pau is the name we’ve given our blonde cocker — native of Hilo, Hawaii. Lady because she is one — albeit a persnickety one; Malasada because as a puppy she resembled the Portuguese fried dough by that name; and Pau because she’s our final dog and “pau” is “the end” in Hawaiian. We call her Mala upon which we’ve been told that in most languages Mal means bad. That’s true. But she’s also good — an ornery/sweet dog. Aren’t they all?!
Mimi (Maryann) and Mala (Lady Malasada Pau)