What's in a name?...More than we choose to believe

What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.

The above aphorism might hold water in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet,  but when it comes to naming one's infant, the dynamics change.

Think about it, had naming a newborn not been of importance, we would not have had books on beautiful/spiritual/unique baby names hitting the stands, and becoming best sellers year after year. In India, amongst the Hindus, we would not have an auspicious day for the naming ceremony,  with the beginning letter of the name being determined by the position of the celestial bodies during the time of the birth. 

Yes, believe it or not, naming one's child is regarded as the biggest decision parents will make for their little one. In fact, many  couples are said to suffer sleepless nights, and several discussions, trying to come up with that one perfect name which would reflect their own beliefs, and aspirations, with the hope that the child will osmose into it.

In my case, I was named Seema, meaning 'limit', by my mom, in order to put a period to the long succeession of daughters. Whether, it was the power of my name, or the determination of my grandma who sought guidance from her guru to endow a son upon my aggrieved mother, one could either surmise or speculate. But, while eventually my mother was blessed with two adorable baby boys, I got stuck with my name and a soppy story. 

Then, a few years ago, I met a ferryman at the ghats of the Ganga. He was named 'Soukha', meaning 'dry', for he was born in the year of the drought. So there, Mr. Soukha and I had something in common: our unceremonious names!

Now, if Soukha and I were born into a Sioux Nation, in the Dakota country, we would have to go hunting for our own name. For, amongst the Sioux, while the child was given a temporary name at its birth, on reaching puberty he/s was expected to go into the wilderness alone on a quest to find one's spiritual name. Sometimes, this young adolescent could be out there for days together, before in a moment of sudden awakening, a vision would be granted. On his/her return, the Shaman of the tribe would interpret the vision, and communicate his/her new name. And on the name would also depend the secret potion to be administered during the time of war, and the medicine to be given, if ill, or injured. 

This coming of age ritual not only tested one's survival skills, but also the ability to hold communion with Nature, and the Great Universal Spirit, in order to receive guidance and light towards fulfilling  one's Life's purpose. And, the finding of one's name was a crucial step towards that journey. For, one's name in native American tradition was not only a way to classify an individual within a social forum, and differentiate him/her from others, but a direct metaphor for the life-path the individual is expected to pursue. From this beautiful tradition, emerged names like Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, Walking Buffalo, Eagle Wing, Shoreless River...

The black population of twentieth century America, encumbered by the culture their ancestors were forced to inherit by their white Christian owners, also sought out new names to assert their distinctive identity. Malcolm X, for example, inspired by Eliza Mohammad and his call to his fellow brethren to go back to their African roots, and reconnect with the time before their forefathers were shipped to America as slaves, converted to Islam, changing his name to el-Hajj Malik el Shabazz. And so did, the iconic Cassius Clay,  better known to the world,  as the boxing legend Mohammad Ali. 

On the other hand, many of the Blues artist of the fifties, sought 'out-of-the-blue' names to reverberate with their individual musical style. A few names that some of them adopted at the start of their recording careers, would become epical in the world of music, such as, Muddy Waters, Taj Mahal, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Guitar Slim, Harmonica Shah, Buddy Guy...Howlin' Wolf, T-Bone Walker, etc., etc. 

Some famous authors and poets too chose to have a nom de plume, or pseudonym. Mark Twain's actual name, for example,  was Samuel  L. Clemens  and George Orwell's,  Eric Arthur Blair. Sometimes, having a nom de plume, provided the writers with more literary freedom, by keeping their real identity hidden. Did you know Samuel Clemens enjoyed several pseudonyms? One can just imagine the kick he would have gotten out of writing under the most bombastic and  bizarre name of W. Epaminondas Adrastus Blab! 

So,what's in a name?

Here is what our old friend Anne of Green Gables has to say:

"I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I've never been able to believe it. I don't believe a rose WOULD be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage".

 Ditto!