What's in a name? Does your name say something about you? People give their children different names for different reasons - in different times and seasons. In ancient times, people and their mythical gods were named after the natural elements such as seasons, stars and planets. Name popularity has become similar to brand names - the popularity and longevity of any brand depends on the public perception and negative or positive connotation attached to the product at a specific time.
People have always been interested in the symbolic meaning and origin of names. In many families, traditional first names were passed on for generations as a symbol of honor and respect to immortalize the family. In many cultures, it is still part of an age old family tradition. If the bearer of this privilege feels honored and proud about his trademark, it is good. However, for many it is often a burden and a source of ridicule.
Ancient names dating back as far as Greek mythology are still popular in a variety of adapted versions. People have been named after the sun, the moon, planets, the days of the week and the months in a year. Many popular names originated from the Bible and are still very commonly used. Apart from religion and culture, world events, politics and fame also influence the popularity of names.
Carrying two or three traditional family names was the norm rather than an exception in years gone by. Especially first-born sons were expected to bear their father's and grandfather's first names, albeit in the form of a nickname or an abbreviated version like AJ or Abe. Nobody found it funny and nobody was mocked because it was generally accepted.
The psychological science behind name giving is interesting. Most parents want to believe their newborn is special and thus want to give the kid a name worthy of that perceived greatness. Millions of kids have been named after a celebrity or famous person - almost as though the parents want to bless their kid with the talents and characteristics of their hero. Should the hero fall into disgrace or become forgotten, the kid is stuck with the name of a fallen, forgotten superstar who has no meaning to the kid.
Luckily, parents have also become more aware of the potential psychological damage an unsuited name can cause. Today, few parents will give a traditional male name to a baby girl, or vice versa, just for the sake of keeping the name in the family. Choosing or inventing a unique, suitable name has also become harder than ever, since most variations of possible names have been exhausted.
Modern day parents are also more aware of the psychological effect that a name can have on a kid's life - especially in a multiple-cultural society. No kid wants to have a freaky or funny name that makes him the clown of the class. The latest trend is shorter, simple names derived from a combination of traditional family names that can be easily spelled and pronounced by all cultures.
However, the more things change, the more they stay the same. In this regard, names follow the same trends as fashionable commodities and the age old favorites never completely disappear. They may temporarily lie low for a couple of decades before they spike all over again on the global popularity charts.
People have always been interested in the symbolic meaning and origin of names. In many families, traditional first names were passed on for generations as a symbol of honor and respect to immortalize the family. In many cultures, it is still part of an age old family tradition. If the bearer of this privilege feels honored and proud about his trademark, it is good. However, for many it is often a burden and a source of ridicule.
Ancient names dating back as far as Greek mythology are still popular in a variety of adapted versions. People have been named after the sun, the moon, planets, the days of the week and the months in a year. Many popular names originated from the Bible and are still very commonly used. Apart from religion and culture, world events, politics and fame also influence the popularity of names.
Carrying two or three traditional family names was the norm rather than an exception in years gone by. Especially first-born sons were expected to bear their father's and grandfather's first names, albeit in the form of a nickname or an abbreviated version like AJ or Abe. Nobody found it funny and nobody was mocked because it was generally accepted.
The psychological science behind name giving is interesting. Most parents want to believe their newborn is special and thus want to give the kid a name worthy of that perceived greatness. Millions of kids have been named after a celebrity or famous person - almost as though the parents want to bless their kid with the talents and characteristics of their hero. Should the hero fall into disgrace or become forgotten, the kid is stuck with the name of a fallen, forgotten superstar who has no meaning to the kid.
Luckily, parents have also become more aware of the potential psychological damage an unsuited name can cause. Today, few parents will give a traditional male name to a baby girl, or vice versa, just for the sake of keeping the name in the family. Choosing or inventing a unique, suitable name has also become harder than ever, since most variations of possible names have been exhausted.
Modern day parents are also more aware of the psychological effect that a name can have on a kid's life - especially in a multiple-cultural society. No kid wants to have a freaky or funny name that makes him the clown of the class. The latest trend is shorter, simple names derived from a combination of traditional family names that can be easily spelled and pronounced by all cultures.
However, the more things change, the more they stay the same. In this regard, names follow the same trends as fashionable commodities and the age old favorites never completely disappear. They may temporarily lie low for a couple of decades before they spike all over again on the global popularity charts.
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