Pearl Kyaw 9 - Power in Names
“Name” (noun) - a word or set of words by which a person, animal, place, or thing is known, addressed, or referred to. A name is a label for which a being is.
With the evolution of the human race came the creation of communication between humans – various speech and language. It is not entirely clear when people began giving themselves titles for differentiation, be it before the development of writing or after. It simply began as a way to identify people. Names were derived from a set that were already in existence and it was short of variety or anything new. Eventually, these overused names began to carry meaning and have more purpose to them than a simple identification method.
Names carry years of history, telling what was found to be of value in cultures and societies of the past. In particular, names hold the history of a person’s family. Surnames, for one, are proof of a person’s ancestors and their existence. Even if someone’s entire being and memory of who they were are gone, they could still live on through a surname. Similarly, everyone is connected to strangers of the past because of blood and a simple word. Beyond a connection to others, a name gives a person a sense of identity and being. Without a name, having a grasp of who you are would be difficult, being unable to put an exact label on who you are as a person. Furthermore, they give a feel of individuality. Despite the same names being used all around the world, there is only one of you. You shape others’ perception of yourself, which extends on to the mention of your name. Upon hearing it, a certain type of image appears in the minds of others depending on how you have built yourself and your reputation. Your name and how you choose to carry it makes you special.
Additionally, names hold power in various other forms. In mythology, names hold ultimate power. A “true name” reveals who someone really is. A common concept in various cultures’ mythology is the idea of knowing someone’s true name giving you power over them, the ability to take control of them. This is why it is common for formidable figures in mythology to have fake names so as to not allow others to take advantage of them. For example, Ancient Egyptians greatly treasured names and believed in the power they held. Names were thought to be connected to a person’s soul, and they therefore worked towards giving these names good meaning for equally good fortune. Moreover, true names were known as “secret names” in Egypt, with sacred power that could be used to control a person or deity. People would have a name and a separate “secret name” attached to their soul, embodying who they were as a person.
In European folklore, there are creatures known as fae. What they are and what they do varies depending on which specific culture is being studied, but they are generally identified to be spirits or fairies spiritual by nature. As beings of nature, they possess magical powers and often interact with humans in the stories they are featured in. A common trait of fae is their need to know a person’s name. By giving your name to a fae, they will be given the power to take partial control over you and influence your behaviour. Fae tend to be mischievous entities, and giving them power, especially over you, is dangerous.
It is interesting to consider the strength names possess and how various different cultures interpret them. Today’s society would be significantly different if names did not exist. Names hold power, and it is important to value them, holding them close.
Hi Pearl! I really enjoyed reading your blog as it was really eye-opening. It really did make me realize just how important our names really are, and the deeper meaning they have that we take for granted. I really liked the historical aspects of your blog too and how it gave a more practical approach to the topic. The inclusion of evidence really helped me understand the power that simple titles such as our names have really held not only now, but throughout history. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for people in ancient times to communicate without having names to acknowledge each other by. I had never even thought of last names to hold a deeper connection to family history either and it really made me realize just how special they really are. It has made me realize how accustomed we’ve become to not only our names but those of others as well. If you were to ask me to give you or anyone else a different name that suits them I couldn’t think of any other but the one assigned to them since that is what seems natural now. Thank you for sharing, Pearl!
ReplyDeleteHi Pearl! When I first started reading your blog post, I thought it was going to be about your name, the cool history behind it, and how it empowers you. But it is super interesting how you turned it back on us and made us reflect on how we find power in our own names. I love how you incorporated folklore and tied it into the overarching theme of power—it is such a unique way to make the topic resonate. It also made me think about my own name, which, to be honest, I am kind of obsessed with because of its story and history. I was born on the first day of a seven-day countdown to Durga Puja, the biggest celebration in Bengali culture. (We are known for how over-the-top we get about Durga Puja) My name connects me to that, and I have always loved how it makes me feel a bit superior to others with similar names because mine comes with this deep, cultural backstory. As a whole, I love how much thought you put into your blog post, and I learned so much about what names can mean. I am really looking forward to reading your future posts.
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