Friday, April 1, 2011

thoughts on the news of the day: names

hmmm…..
            Does your name determine your destiny?  That question was asked on my internet home page this morning.   It is a question that has been asked for thousands of years.  For example, when Abrams name was changed to Abraham in the book of Genesis in the bible.  The new name means “father of multitudes” in Hebrew.  Turns out, he was.
            My brother was given a cutesy nickname shortly after he was born.  It was cute when he was a toddler – and apropos when he wrestled in high school.  But cute when he became an executive for an oil company?  Not so much.  So he reverted back to his given name which was much more dignified and suited his new position. 
            The name we chose for my daughter was a combination of being named after my sister and a well known television character at the time.  As soon as my daughter could talk, she nicknamed herself something very different and very much more suited to her personality.  It is an almost unique name and she is never mistaken for someone else.
            Then there are those who try and limit their identity to one name – like Cher or Madonna or Prince (who tried for a while to become simply a symbol).  If it is a distinctive name it can work.  Lindsay Lohan is trying to become just  “Lindsay”.  I doubt if that will be successful, there are too many Lindsay’s out there who have already made claim to that name.
            What does your name mean?  Has it determined your destiny? My name means “grace”, hopefully I can live up to that.
            hmmm…..

1 comment:

  1. Nancy if ever anyone in my experience has been "grace," you have. IMHO, you are definitely living up to your name. smiles.

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