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.