Whether it’s a nickname, or a birth name, all names have a meaning even if it’s the most classic or plain name ever. Names can also add to your character, or how you become someone. Names can give motivation through one’s struggle, or even make someone feel like they should live up to their name. If you were named after someone who accomplished many things in their life, you may feel pressure to be like them. To find out the meaning behind a name, think about the person’s origin, what their parent’s values are (because they’re the ones who name them), and who else has that name.
Especially in New York City, a melting pot, there are very diverse names from all over the world. Some names can even be from multiple languages, mixed to create a perfect combination of the meanings you want. A name can also be thought of as a story. The meanings that play different roles add to the story that your name tells by distributing the values reflected in your name.
To collect some more information about people’s names and how your name can feel to someone, interviews were conducted through BSGE students to find out different ways people are named. 9th grader Elizabeth K. likes her “name because it sounds sophisticated”, and her “great grandma was named Elizabeth” as well.
Linnaea K. in 7th grade responded that her name is “the Linden tree flower” and her “mom’s maiden name is the leaf of that tree.” Her middle name Benge is a “common Cherokee name” and represents her Cherokee identity.
7th grader Hanna B. says that her “name means graceful in Yiddish, and my great grandma on my dad’s side had that name.” Her “last name Ben-Jacob means ‘Child of Jacob’ “. Her opinion on her name is that she’s “indifferent to it”.
Celeste T. from 9th grade says that her “name means gift from heaven” and “I like my name” Another 9th grader Olivia S. says “my mom liked the name so she named me it.” “I like my name because it soothes me”. Many students interviewed have shown positive responses to their names like Giselle M. from 9th grade, who likes her name because it “sounds nice”. Ruhee D. from 7th grade says that her “name means Soul, and I like it because it’s unique.”
Overall many students have unique names and a positive meaning, and sometimes a name is all someone needs to feel good about themselves or feel complete. Whether it’s a nickname or a birthname, names are the first gifts we receive.
