What's In A Name?
"Oh Romeo, Romeo!"
In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Juliet asks: "What's in a name?" Her implication is that Romeo's Montague family name has nothing to do with their forbidden love. She believes that they should still be together - regardless.
"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
Would a rose smell differently if it were called something else?
Juliet is clear that whatever he was called, she would still love Romeo. Examined further, the quote suggests that Shakespeare's own belief is that a name means little. To him, it is the worth of the man (person) that matters most.
Does Shakespeare's thinking ring true for you?
Cassandra Of Troy
In Greek mythology, Cassandra was a Princess of Troy. Daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, she was admired and coveted by the great God, Apollo.
In his quest to win her, Apollo gifted her the ability to see into the future. In return for this gift, she promised him personal favours. After receiving the gift however, she reneged on her side of the bargain and refused his attention.
Her action enraged Apollo. Having gifted her sight of the future, he could not take it back. So, he added another dimension to the gift.
He cursed her and declared that, although she would prophecy the truth about the future, no one would believe her.
Cassandra was able to foresee the fall of Troy. She warned the Trojans that the Greeks would hide inside their war horse. She also foresaw her own death and her mother's fate. No one believed her. Of course, as we are told by history, Troy fell at the hands of the Greeks and Cassandra was eventually murdered.
Getting To Know You
Our names are important. We identify with them and they play a role in defining who we are. We recognise our names when we are called. Our names are tagged to our faces so we can be remembered. Our names mean something to us.
In getting to know you, we would usually start by asking:
What's your name?
Or, you may start by introducing yourself:
"Hi. I am ______________. And you are?"
Whatever your style or whichever way you choose, you will be identified by your name. Without a name you may remain faceless to many or risk being called something or someone else.
It some areas of research and study, it is suggested that your name may influence your choice of profession, life partner, where you live and whether you are accepted into certain social sectors such as schools and organisations.
Our Wealthy Affiliate Bio
When we join Wealthy Affiliate (WA), we are required to create a Bio. This serves as an introduction of ourselves to our Community Members. It is up to us to declare how we ant to be recognised and what, if anything at all, we want to be called. Many of us have what I call a 'Pen Name'. It is often some derivative of our given names and some interest or attraction.
For example, Cassi Of Troy. I love my name. It is unusual and having studied a lot of Greek history, I welcome the likeness to Princess Cassandra of Troy. I use it jokingly with my family and friends to caution them about what may happen if they do not listen to me. π€¦βοΈ
Although I have a Pen Name, right away you know that my given name is Cassandra. You know what I want to be called and you can communicate with me with either Cassi r Cassandra. Whatever makes you comfortable.
By What Name Shall I Call You?
I enjoy reading the Bios of other members - to get to know them. One of the first things I expect to find is. . . you guessed it . . . a name! Quite often, it is difficult and it makes me uncomfortable.
- By what name shall I call you?
- How would you like to be addressed?
It takes a lot of work sometimes to discern this as I have to search through the comments of others or look somewhere else. Although I may want to engage you or start a conversation, I am at a loss as to how to.
A simple "Hi" seems so impersonal when I would much rather say: "Hello, Andrew! How are YOU?!" There is genuine passion and interest there.
Identify Yourself To Your Visitors
So, identify yourself. Help me get to know YOU. Tell me your name. Share with me what you would prefer to be called and how you want to be addressed.
If you have not done so in your Bio, take some time out to change that.
I look forward to engaging with you, directly, genuinely and respectfully.
Live Well | Travel Light | Change The Script | Love What You Do
Cassi
Recent Comments
34
Really great post!
It is true that the first name is a very important point that is part of our personality. My name is the same as on my bio. Babou is the nickname that my grandmother gave me when I was a little girl. My pen name is Astrid, it's actually my middle name.
Ingrid
Ingrid, thank you for sharing.
May I ask: Is your grandmother East Indian?
Babou is a pet name used by members of our East Indian community here in Trinidad.
I do like it.
Cassi
Hi!
Oh! I did not know that.
No, I am mixed-race and it was my Swiss-German grandmother who called me by that little name. One of my middle names is Elisabeth and she preferred to call me Babou.
Nice, Ingrid.
Almost all Trinis are of mixed race.
I am East Indian, African, European (Italian, French, Spanish, English).
It is a small world.
Cassi
Yes! There is nothing more beautiful than when the world is mixed, it proves that the opening towards the others is in progress. I am half Swiss-German, African and Irish!
Hi Cassi
The first thing I did in my profile was to introduce myself as Wilson.
Unfortunately when I meet new people they immediately start calling me Mr. Wilson. Of course Wilson is originally a surname, but is amazing how many other people have Christian names which are actually Surnames.
How my name came about was my brother was called after my dad, William. The intention was before I was born I was going to be called after my mam.
Well, when I was born, being a boy they decided still to call me after my mam using her maiden name 'Wilson' .
I always thought my name was rare and it has surprised me to find it isn't that rare as a Christian name.
The one thing I don't like is when people try to shorten it.
William is normally shortened to Bill, Wilson cannot be shortened as to doesn't sound right as Wils, it's just as easy to say the full name. In fact if anyone says Wils or any other derivative I just ignore them.
Wilson
Wilson, thank you for sharing.
This is why I love getting to know people by their names.
There is so much to explore in a name.
I understand fully. π
Cassi
Cassi!
Incredible write up. I truly love it and am going to take a keen look at my Bio and do the necessary right away!
Thank you so much.
Hey!
You are very welcome.
Let's get to know each other better. π
It is a tough world out there.
Thank you.
Cassi
See more comments
Hi Cassandra,
Yes what is in a name? I was baptised 'Narida' which is an aboriginal word meaning 'Waterlily'. I come from a long line of English, Scottish and French who immigrated to Australia.
Over 50 years I became frustrated with my name as most people couldn't remember how to say it, eventually my friends called me 'Lily' and I liked that.
When I married 4 years ago my husband had only ever known me as Lily and as I was changing everything to my married name I also legally changed my first name and became Lily Belle Munday.
It really suits me and I find it much more comfortable making friends. I can't imagine being called anything else.
It's been an interesting journey.
Lily πππ€
Lily, such a beautiful story.
Perhaps because of the diversity that we have in the Caribbean - East Indian, Affican, Spanish, French, Italian . . . , I do like 'Narida'.
It is somewhat musical.
You have stayed true to it though and you are a reflection of it in your warmth and attractiveness.
Thank you very much for sharing.
Cassi
You also have a lovely warmth to your name and personality Cassandra. I enjoyed reading about your life and am inspired by your journey in Wealthy Affiliate.
I would enjoy staying in touch as I feel we have a lot in common?
It would be great to pick you brains on the promotion of your websites as I am still to start getting WA subscribers. I do know that I need to add a lot more content. My website is only 6 months old.
May I PM you?
I visited Trinadad a few years ago on a yatching holiday and it was very lovely, especially the very pink flamingoes.
Warm Regards,
Lily
Of course you can, Lily!
It would be great to stay in touch.
I have soft spot for Australia, Sydney especially.
When I lived in NZ, I visited very often.
Your country is also very beautiful.
Looking forward. π
Cassi