The Hidden Meaning and Power Behind Names

            The other day, I was doing the readings for Ali Wong and noticed that she would call out her daughters’ names in her book to remind them that she is specifically speaking to them. This got me thinking about the huge impact of names that society seems to skip over. Names are intimate and they mean something. Instinctually, if we hear our name called, we turn our head before it has even registered in our mind what has happened. My dad’s biggest piece of advice when going to college was to learn everyone’s names and use them when I saw them next. This shows them that you were impressed enough by the first time you met to commit their name to heart, making them feel special. It also immediately puts you on a more intimate level with someone, “first-name-basis.”

            At some point in time, someone gave you your name because it meant something to them. Often because they knew someone who they’d like to see as a role model for you. Maybe simply because they thought it sounded pretty or strong. Names means something, no one is going to name their child after a terrible person, which would be completely demoralizing (but also somewhat twistedly funny). Jenny Slate comments about her name in her comedy special Stage Fright saying that she thinks that her name has attributed to the bouncy personality she portrays. She explains, “Whereas if I were Susan, this is how I would enter a room. I’d be like, ‘Okay, let’s get started! (kicks door) JK, we’re already done. Get to bed!” Obviously, though, her bouncy, nicknamey name has done a lot for her and her comedy career. The fact that she is bouncy makes her lovable on stage and shows that she loves what she’s doing.

            I am the oldest of four boys in my family and while my parents were having kids, I would think to myself, “This is it. It’s got to be a girl this time. The odds are stacked in my favor.” Since that never happened, I have pretty much decided that I don’t want to stop having kids until I’ve had a daughter. On Tuesday, I was listening to “Dear Prudence” by The Beatles, my favorite band. I thought to myself that prudence is such a pretty word, but I wasn’t completely sure of its meaning, so I looked it up. Prudent, the root of the word, is defined as “acting with or showing care and thought for the future.” That is just beautiful to me. I immediately stopped the song and turned to my girlfriend and asked, “What do you think of the name Prudence Olivia for a girl? And we would just call her Pru.” To my pleasure, she seemingly loved it just as much as I do. BTW, I am not expecting a baby anytime soon, let’s just say I’m prudent.

            This post is somewhat a call to action. First, to find the meaning in your own name if you don’t already know. You might find out something you like about yourself that you didn’t know; someone liked it. Second, Recognize the meaning and value to other people’s names. Listen to, and memorize, the names of others when you’re introduced to create a more intimate and dependable relationship. It makes people feel better about themselves knowing you took the time. Lastly, please listen to The Beatles. If you haven’t already heard, they’re kind of a big deal.