A name is part of one's identity, a brand that you carry with you for life, although you had no part in choosing it. Some people like their birth names, others hate it. Some people resemble their names, while others have nicknames that better suit their looks and personality traits. The reasons why new parents choose a specific name for their newborn is as diverse and disparate as their respective personalities. Name popularity is a fashion trend that ebbs and flows with the tides.
People are influenced by different factors when deciding what to call their baby. Some are inspired by the sound or symbolic meaning of a specific name, while for others it is simply a matter of tradition to pass on family names. In certain cultures, especially boys are expected to carry the full names of their fathers and forefathers for generations to come.
Biblical names such as James, John, Elizabeth, Maria, Martha and Matthew were as common as grass and most families had a member or two heavily burdened with several first names of Biblical origin. Factors such as culture, religion, politics, natural disasters and world events also play a major role in name giving. Many kids were named after famous war heroes, politicians, world figures or even world events - whatever stroked their parents' fancy at the time.
Many children have been named after a famous politician, musician or sport hero. A celebrity's name can become an instant hit, while the name of an infamous person can become a burden to those who bear it. Unusual or foreign names can also cause a person endless frustration and embarrassment, and subject him or her to ridicule and bullying at school.
Part of mankind's psychological make-up is the need to be acknowledged. Parents often want to bless and confirm their offspring's uniqueness or potential talents by giving them exotic or unusual names. Many kids have also been named after world events, famous people or the heroes of their parents. Some of these creations started a new trend, while many merely became a life-long embarrassment to the kid.
In modern times, name giving has become even more difficult. Most of the traditionally popular ones have become boring, over-used and old-fashioned. It's a constant competition to find a new flavor of the month that has a relatively long expiry date. In a way, what you call your kid becomes a lifelong trade mark.
Today, most kids grow up in a multicultural society where they are exposed to different cultures and traditions - including foreign names. This also motivates parents to consider sensitive religious and cultural connotations to a name that might cause problems in a multicultural school environment. Shorter, trendy cosmopolitan names that are easier to spell and pronounce, pose less danger and problems than lengthy, old-fashioned traditional ones.
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 are influenced by different factors when deciding what to call their baby. Some are inspired by the sound or symbolic meaning of a specific name, while for others it is simply a matter of tradition to pass on family names. In certain cultures, especially boys are expected to carry the full names of their fathers and forefathers for generations to come.
Biblical names such as James, John, Elizabeth, Maria, Martha and Matthew were as common as grass and most families had a member or two heavily burdened with several first names of Biblical origin. Factors such as culture, religion, politics, natural disasters and world events also play a major role in name giving. Many kids were named after famous war heroes, politicians, world figures or even world events - whatever stroked their parents' fancy at the time.
Many children have been named after a famous politician, musician or sport hero. A celebrity's name can become an instant hit, while the name of an infamous person can become a burden to those who bear it. Unusual or foreign names can also cause a person endless frustration and embarrassment, and subject him or her to ridicule and bullying at school.
Part of mankind's psychological make-up is the need to be acknowledged. Parents often want to bless and confirm their offspring's uniqueness or potential talents by giving them exotic or unusual names. Many kids have also been named after world events, famous people or the heroes of their parents. Some of these creations started a new trend, while many merely became a life-long embarrassment to the kid.
In modern times, name giving has become even more difficult. Most of the traditionally popular ones have become boring, over-used and old-fashioned. It's a constant competition to find a new flavor of the month that has a relatively long expiry date. In a way, what you call your kid becomes a lifelong trade mark.
Today, most kids grow up in a multicultural society where they are exposed to different cultures and traditions - including foreign names. This also motivates parents to consider sensitive religious and cultural connotations to a name that might cause problems in a multicultural school environment. Shorter, trendy cosmopolitan names that are easier to spell and pronounce, pose less danger and problems than lengthy, old-fashioned traditional ones.
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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