What’s In a Name?

I would like to think that we are bigger than a word, particularly one that is usually chosen with a certain amount of subjectivity - but I don't truely believe we are. I have met many people who shared a name with someone else I knew and in the end, there's always a grain of similarity in their personalities. Sometimes it's bold and obvious, other times it is slight and underlying. But I have to say that it is almost always there.

I feel like a person with an unusual last name should have an easily pronounced first name, but those with common last names can have unique first names. My parents gave me an unusual first name in addition to a difficult to pronounce last name. :( I'm entering a profession where your name makes a huge impact, and I really wish I had been given my mother's maiden name. Mark Roddey, I got teased all the time in elementary school for my name and back then I definitely wished I had been a Sarah or a Jennifer!

My personal belief is that your given name pre-determines the way others interact with you, treat you, socialize with you, thus creating and dictating your personality growth and course. I'm just glad my Mom stuck with choosing a simple name from the bible. It definitely made my early years of childhood simple, and acceptance by my peers come quite easily.

From Vita M. King,I don't care what my mans,name is,its his heart that "matters"

From Vita Michelle King,Your name at your being is your life,it is who you are and who you will be for some.Others just give a name at random,oh well nothing came before and nothing will come after,how sad cursed from your being.My name means Life and some other things it is my start and it will be my ending.I am from strong women and men,that fight with little lift in them,no matter what it looks like,or sounds like to others.The end is your being,I said to my one and only Daughter of Life,I want you to name your child after me,I didn't give her the reason for it right then,I was planing on the day of hers to come to tell her.The child will be more than (a),it is from me,it will carry the line that came from,minds that never stop.That see the unseen,no training its from God,just as my daughter its days will( B) Yes your name means some it is sad that you think when you change it,your life is not going to be,what its path is how very very sad,you don't know who you are,Be Pride "You"

I have certain connotations with certain names, positive and negative. It will probably mean that when I go to name my kids, certain names will or will not be used. In general though, I've had various experiences with Johns and others, so the name doesn't always register the same thing. For me, it's based more on context, smells, memories. Some names just bring to mind great literary characters, like Elizabeth (Elizabeth Bennett in Pride & Prejudice!).

I have to say, i resist this type of thinking since i really believe (at least I need to believe) in self-determination. I know that most people are not completely capable of full self-determination and self-development, but I'd hope that we all continue to struggle for it.

I just realized that I sounded like I was trying to say I am uber cool and hip, I am not. I was trying to say that the original Shyla, my mom's Bf is! Just wanted to make sure you don't think my head is the size of China.

My mom wanted to name me Ayesha, a pretty name, but every Ayesha she knew was fat and ugly. So, I became Shyla, her uber cool and hip (and writer!) best friend. My favorite name is Maya, but unfortunately I have a negative superstition attached to that name so must forgo it for my first born. I am not really sure about my personal generalizations, but if that were true, it would really suck if you met someone with your same name and they turned out to be a butt-head.

every Jessica i have ever met is hoighty-toighty. I have pretty much been in love with everything Charlie I have met. Every John I know is a stand-up guy.