Defined by Name?

I recently had a bit of a debate on this, and am wondering what the rest of you think.

The question I am putting out there can be simply summed up as this: Does the definition of your name define who you are?

Recently I’ve been pondering what my future offspring would be named. One such name that came across my plate was Lilith. It is a lovely sounding name, isn’t it? The meaning (off sheknows.com) states the following for this name:

The name Lilith is a Hebrew baby name. In Hebrew the meaning of the name Lilith is: Night monster. Storm goddess. In Jewish folklore, Lilith was a female demon and first wife of Adam.

This sparked a debate between my mother and myself, as she dug into the name meaning and does not want her granddaughter to be named after a demon. (I am not currently expecting any children any time soon, I just like looking into names. I also do not blame her, I was unaware of the meaning... but at the same time Storm Goddess sounds like the name of a powerful and headstrong woman, like I would want a daughter of mine to be)

So here is my question and what can be debated below.

Does your name meaning affect whom you are?
Has your life been affected by your name meaning?
Do you think one should avoid controversial names because it could affect one’s life (eg. Adolf, Lucifer, Stalin, ect)

On a lighter note, here is a joke about names:

I have twin daughters. People often ask me if their names can affect their personality. Simply put, yes it can. One of my daughters, Joy, is popular, does well in school, and has many friends. Hogface on the other hand...

May the Force be with you and guide this conversation.

No. I don't put much stock in the deeper meanings of names. Simply because a Name can have many meanings and just because "Google" defines it one way dosn't mean it is strictly that meaning.

Names should be given by it's spirit not by it's physical representation...

Does it feel right?

A mother and father will know when they hold the babe in arms. And most likely the babe will grow up and change their name a couple times (I did) when the spirit of that name no longer fits the spirit of the person.

just my thoughts

I feel that it has in my case.

"Leah" being another Biblical name (though I was named after a 80's soap opera star), and having been raised going to church, I was always hyper-aware of Leah's story. She was the wife Jacob DIDN'T want, and spent her life popping out babies and thinking every time: "Another son! Maybe NOW my husband will love me!" She's described as a homely woman living in the shadow of her beautiful and graceful sister, Rachel. And if you know the story of Joseph, it's her sons that sell Joseph into slavery.

I both related to her and resented her - I was bullied in school and called ugly a lot. But I was never able to really find any comfort in her story, despite feeling that I was like her. Would it have been different if I'd been named Rachel instead? Who knows.

Only a few years ago, though, I was chatting about religion with a Jewish friend, and I brought up my struggles with my Leah identity. He said that in his faith, Leah was seen not as the throwaway wife of Jacob, but as the mother of Israel, because it's her sons that founded the Twelve Tribes. Just that shift in perspective went a long way in reconciling me to my name. Though I still have residual bitterness, lol.

Arisaig wrote: Does the definition of your name define who you are?

No definitely not. However like astrology or any other system of grouping individuals, one can often times perceive influence in the false patterns that present themselves there. I think the naming of a child has more to do with your aspirations for the child rather than any direct influence the name will have over them.

For example I am named after one of my great grand parents, a fact I am very proud of. I like the idea of trying to live up to what they represented and I like carrying that name as a vehicle of reverence to my ancestry and what they went through so that I may exist.

There is power in a name but, just like any other mythical or mystical influence, it is only what you make it. It has no power in and of itself and what one calls demon another may call angelic (or storm Goddess, ). Either way the influence that is manifest is just as powerful because it is only personally meaningful as it comes from within.

Time to invoke the wisdom of some deity or another....

To save you reading Lords and Ladies (though you should, really) here is some insight into the Carter Family from L Space

https://wiki.lspace.org/mediawiki/Bestiality_Carter


Without looking it up, I would have no idea what my name means, but I'm not named for it's archaic meaning, I'm named for dead people who had the same name. Given the way that these things go, the person I was name after was named after a dead person before him that had the same name, and so on (Just checked some dates - the James I am named after died 200 years before the more popular James who was king of Scotland & England)


Either way, I am not a warlord, a king, or (according to names meanings website) a supplanter.


My point I suppose is - it probably depends more on local perception of the name, rather than any ancient meaning inferred from wherever the hell people think this stuff originates.

I do know that kids with unusually spelled names get picked on, and can become frustrated by it (then they become teenagers and think it makes them special and make a point of telling everyone that they have a funky spelling to their name and it makes them more interesting....)

I think the significance of a name is determined by the person using it, not by others. As Trisskar points out, we can change our name as we grow and change, even though most of us choose not to. Some also choose to use nicknames. My name is Steven, a biblical name, but I usually introduce myself as Steve. Our name is how we choose to represent ourselves to the world, and we hold the power over it.

Some names have clearly transcended the ability to be seen any other way than tied to a specific person or character, i.e. Hitler or Satan. The associated history and stories there will likely never be detached from the names enough to redefine them, but naming your kid Hitler doesn't define them as a person either. It is just going to make growing up a huge pain in the ass. :laugh:

I find it especially interesting to see what screen names people choose when they join here. What a person uses when they have a choice verses what is given to them by parents can say a lot about how a person perceives themselves. Some screen names have obvious connotations. Some are given names from birth. Some are clever plays on words. Some are an homage to fictional characters. All seem to have some kind of meaning to the people using them, but I wouldn't go so far as to say anyone is defined by them.

Trisskar Wrote:

Names should be given by it's spirit not by it's physical representation

Excellently put.

@Leah Starspectre: I cannot imagine the struggle of comparing yourself to a story like that. My real name, Everett, doesn't have many bearers. lol. But I am glad you found some soltice in another interpreation.

Kyrin Wyldstar wrote:

However like astrology or any other system of grouping individuals, one can often times perceive influence in the false patterns that present themselves there. I think the naming of a child has more to do with your aspirations for the child rather than any direct influence the name will have over them.

Again, excellently put. We only perceive things because of how we view them and if we are looking for those meanings.

Names, much like Words, mean things. Whether or not that means they should be chosen with care matters little; what truly matters is the connection between a Thing and its Name, whether that Name describes it or not. That connection is wherein the power of a Name lies.

Names, much like Words, mean things. Whether or not that means they should be chosen with care matters little; what truly matters is the connection between a Thing and its Name, whether that Name describes it or not. That connection is wherein the power of a Name lies.

I'll be the first to agree that words mean things.

and the names of things mean things. I can't sell you a chair and call it a hat.

Names of people? I would say far less so. There is no way of telling what the first mother called the first child, and it makes little difference now anyway.

Most people alive today are named something common, but not too common, easy to pronounce in the local language, maybe with a vague reference to something historic or famous and that doesn't sound funny with their last name (yeah yeah, if you're from a culture that has the whole "Title-Given Name-Family Name" layout)


Of course, I come from a culture where the highest hope a parent has for its offspring is effectively Wheaton's Law - Cultures that place a higher value on family or ancestors or what have you may have very different expectations of people who bear a particular name.

Each of us has their own idea of this question. Some are more than others, I'm glad for the differences.
I made my name. Growing up where and how I did I had a "rep" to maintain. Always in my mind from a small chap. Then as i learned and found ... ( if u seek you will learn you will find) I didn't want to be known for a few different things rather than those I had been tought . I began to find virtue and wisdom. I myself removed some attachment I had and went nuts .... NUTS!!! I spoke to every one I gave more grace I began to make what I wanted inside , outside . You know what happen , it worked . Funny thing, the longer I seek I find others .... Just like me, not like me but , like me. A name can be a screen name and whatever you choose to make it or don't make it friend. Names can be tools or things that keep us. Our choice sometimes.
Hope that helps a bit friend. Just my 2 cents since u asked !