A Name Is Not Just A Name

There are all sorts of theories and significance behind people's names. Certainly one of the most important thing any expectant parents devote the most time thinking about, even long before the arrival of the baby. The names that define character, those that express hope, or the desired destiny, the ones that reveal their origin, the ancestry, ideals, patriotism, the lineage of the family; in honour or remembrance of a favourite uncle or admiration for a King, queen, celebrity, day of birth even, or of the month ... and, very popular in a catholic country like Spain, after a Saint. In fact they celebrate one's Saint's Day more than on the person's actual birthday.

When the parents have more baggage, in years or a long past, with grandparents, uncles, aunts, Ex's, pets ... more weights upon them to choose right to please a certain relative, or a special benefactor. The one who has to take it, like it or not for the rest of his or her life, has no say whatsoever in this. No matter that later in life you find that you have a name nobody can remember, spell or pronounce, you are nevertheless unique.

In recent years, flourishes the trend of imported names from other countries, for the popularity of certain politicians, movie stars, singers, a famous sportsman, a favourite book character, or just the novel idea of being modern, different, unusual; now abundant are babies named Harry, Clint, Thais, Barbara, Jennifer and Charlotte. Those named Pedro, Manuel, Juan, Maria, Pilar, Montse are either middle aged or old fashioned.

Babies born to celebrities have the most original and unique names these days, like Apple, Gwyneth Paltrow's baby, Fifi Trixibell, Peaches and Pixie, the children of Bob Geldof, Blue Angel of Dave Evens (U2), or Fuchsia, daughter of Sting. The twins of Angelina Jolie and Brat Pitt are called Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline, and Sunday Rose is the newest addition, baby girl of Nicole Kidman. Oh, almost forgot, another quite unusual name for Donovan's daughter, Astrella Celeste.

Everybody wants a totally unique identity. Perhaps one day we would all do away with our names and have a PIN code instead. The password to access ourselves.

Tags:Names,Identity

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