What's in a NAME?

In this part of the world, names have meanings which usually are a depiction of the parent's state of mind and occurrences surrounding the child's birth. Today, most parents call their children names that depict who or what they want them to be while always attaching such names to a deity (the Christan/Muslim GOD in most or all cases)

Although so many people would argue that the name is not as important as how you raise the child (Judas means Praise, admiration or thanks but see how Judas Iscariot turned out), I am of the opinion that a child should be properly named. The question here is: What is the proper name?

•  A name should not be given at the spur of the moment i.e You were expecting the child for 9 whole months, you could at least take time to carefully select a name and not wait till a few minutes before the child is christened. An illustration that still strikes me in the Bible is 1 Samuel 25:25. It is about a man named Nabal, which means fool. His wife says, “As his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him.” Why should any right thinking human name his child fool? 

•  A name should have a positive meaning. This implies that if the name you have in mind is not in your language you may want to find out the origin and meaning before you bestow it upon a child. Remember, the name is the most valuable asset. I remember having heard a child being called Oluwajuwonlo (a Yoruba name which if transliterated means 'God is greater than them' or in Pidgin which appeals more to me: 'God pass them'). No child deserves such a burden. Obviously, the parents of that child had perceived enemies and his/her arrival signifies victory but they could have simply called the child Oluwaseun, Modupeoluwa or Oluwaseyi (all appreciating God for what he has done) instead of that burdensome name.

• Keep it simple: no complications in spelling or pronunciation. Here's is what a guy named Arian said about his name: I dislike my name. I hated it. It is always mispelled. I didn't like the sound. I have something in mind that will truly suit my personality. My parents, especially my mother, told me to accept the fact the parents used to name their children, not the children naming themselves. I started getting and receiving hurtful jokes because of my names. And it came from my elder sisters, brother and schoolmates. I can't help but cry when I heard them mispelling my name. They usually started chanting my name in backward order. It was a very bad childhood I had. So as much as Oluwaseunbabarafunmi has a good meaning please consider how it will be pronounced. Yeah I heard a parent say she always corrects people whenever they mispronounce her child's name but will she be everywhere with the child especially in school where taunts abound? Do I hear someone call Babara: barbie or Barber?

Many parents look to their families in order to create familial stability here on earth, others look for daring and adventurous names in the hope their children (but really themselves) will stand out from the herd, others want a name that will just fit in easily and not generate any raised eyebrows or opinions. So yes your name is meant for you to grow into, and as it is reflected back onto you from the mouths of others it has the power to shape the Life you will have. So if it ISN'T you, then by all means change it to one that resonates deeply with who you are.

Gone AWOL!

Absent Without Leave indeed!

Been gone for over a year from the blogosphere and it seems as though I've been all over the place with a big buzz in my life.

I've always been meaning to come back every single day but at every point I had my hands too full hence this long absence.

A lot has happened in these past months. I have become a mom, turned a hobby into a profession and acquired various skills. In less than two years I have learned more life lessons than I had in 2 decades. Made new acquaintances, renewed friendships and established a solid relationship with God.

This post will be most boring if I delve into it all so shall we start with just one event: THE BABY.

At about 2:00pm Tuesday 12th April, 2011 I was delivered of a tiny beautiful female littlun who has since swept me off my feet again. There was no big deal about the delivery. Scheduled a caesarean for Thursday 14th and on Monday 11th I couldn't feel the baby move. Placed a call to my O&G who asked me to come in immediately. He did an ultrasound and assured us that the baby was okay but suggested that we had the delivery the next day which is what we did.

Though I did not fall into labour, I was as anxious as any expectant woman would be. Barely slept through Monday night and couldn't wait to meet my Pickles (her fetal nickname)  on Tuesday. As I was being wheeled into the theatre Tuesday afternoon, I wondered how I would react to the sex of the child so I asked hubby to guess for the last time what we were having. He simply smiled at me and said 'we are having a child Bolanle, girl or boy as long as it's human'.

A few minutes later, I saw (very briefly) our little girl with her tiny hands in the air. It was a real joy to behold and that moment is probably one I would never have to forget since I relive it so often.

Today, the baby has grown into a beautiful, positively restless and healthy toddler who I am so in love with. The first one to call me Mummy (and mean it) and probably the only girl that will be my friend all her life.

Now that the prologue of the baby's story has been written, I am seriously hoping I get to continue soon enough as there is definitely a lot to share.

Here's to a wonderful and bright day!