Essay –
Names
Life is a
series of ancient traditions and customs which are based on beliefs,
nature, and politics. Christmas, mid-summer, and Mayday are perfect
examples. But, there is one big tradition that is different. A
tradition that is shared by everyone living on earth. This is the
custom of names. You have a name and so does everyone else.
But, what
came first? You or your name? Your first name was easy. Robert for
boy and sally for girl. Boys' and girls' names and all from a fairly
short list. And, your family name? No list needed at all.
At some
point in time, people started taking their names from their jobs or
their natural surroundings. This happened all over the world. Let's
say you're a Smith. In days of old, you were a Smith because you
worked as a smith. And, of course, in days of old, jobs were passed
on from generation to generation, and, to a point, they still are.
All very logical. Everyone wore the same hat for centuries and
centuries. But, why was a smith called a smith? What came first?
The job or the name? A kind of chicken and egg situation. And, why
are chickens called chickens and eggs called eggs and not the other
way round? Imagine an egg laying a chicken! It could easily have
been. Names are a mystery!
But, names
are not only innocent labels. Names have a much deeper function as
well. Association. Names connect people with character. Names are
suggestive. Names are impressive. Lionel, for example, conjurers up
strength and position. Other names are not so effective. But,
beware. People hang character on names. Be careful when choosing a
name for your child. Names often reflect the stupidity of the parents
who chose them!
But, names,
very deep down, mean existence. Every thing that exists does so
because of its name. We only know what we know. And, we know it
because of its name. If it doesn't exist – it hasn't a name. Names
have to wait for existence. You, too, had no name before you were
born! Black-holes were nothing before being discovered – then came
the label “black-hole”. And, now, every-one knows what a
black-hole is.
But, the
real mystery of names goes back a long way. When did people first use
them? When did people become different enough to justify a name? Did
names begin as nothing more than very simple sounds? Were names our
very first words? And, when did speaking begin? All very good
questions. But, one thing is clear. Names are the most important
things that there are. Everyone has one, and when getting to know
some-one new, the first thing one asks is their name. Most people are
proud of their names and most people like hearing their names.
Names are
special. Names are our characters and soul. And, at the end of the
day, it is you who makes your name great.
Life is made
up of ancient traditions. Names are not only strong, they are
permanent, too. Your life is your name and your name is your life.
