What’s in a name?
I’ve just been reading an interview with Alexandra Shulman, Editor of UK Vogue for the past 20 years. She was saying that when she was aged between 6 and 8 years old, her only ambition was to be called Gillian, get married and have children.
Have you ever wondered how your life might have turned out if you sported a different name from that given to you at birth? Throughout the ages, it has been traditional for sons to carry the name of their fathers so the ancestral line can be continued. There is a type of ‘power’, therefore, invested in a name. Parents select a name with significance and meaning for them but as the unborn child is unavailable to comment, their choice can turn out to be less than satisfactory.
According to Twyla Tharp (author of The Creative Habit), the ancient masters of Japanese art were allowed to change their name just once in their lifetime. The new name could only come into existence once they believed they had mastered their skills to a point to which they aspired, artistically. After the change took place, they could never revert to their former name. For the remainder of their lives, they worked at the height of their power and talent using the new name. The change signified artistic maturity. This still happens today – Cassius Clay to Muhummad Ali, for example.
I was named Susan Jane and, of the 6 other Susans in my class at school, 4 also had Jane as their middle name. It’s not altogether surprising that we were a noisy bunch, always vying for the teachers’ personal attention and not wanting to go unnoticed in a midst of others with the same name. My mum, and her sister, both had unusual names that no-one could spell. This was one great reason for giving me one that required no thought at all. These days, Susan, is not a popular name for new born girls. With Susan as your name, you’ll more often than not date stamp yourself between the ages of 50-60 something. Even though I changed it to Sue with the advent of my first boyfriend, there are still zillions of us continuing to attract attention, sometimes using unusual coloured hair as their trademark of choice, more often than not with chatty (read noisy, in my case) voices.
As a small girl, I wanted to be called Hermione. I read the name in a magazine and fell in love with it from that day on. Until the onslaught of the Harry Potter books, I had never heard of anyone called Hermione, let alone met them, and that certainly added to the thrill. Oh, how wonderful it would be to be that unique! To be honest, I didn’t even know how to pronounce it and my rendition was more like herm- ee-own rather than the correct version, herm-i-on-y. At the request of a friend, I recently looked up its meaning – ‘of the earth’. How apt. For someone like me, who is less than grounded most of the time, this name would have been a great leveller. I occasionally adopt an imaginary Hermione as my more sensible twin, someone who wouldn’t act like a Sue would. It can come in quite handy when you’re stuck or unsure of how to proceed. We know that seeing a situation from a different perspective can bring creative flow and ideas into your head, so great for sorting out work issues and the like, but it can also work wonders in your closet.
So here’s some fun questions for you:
- Do you love your name? If so, why?
- What other name would you have liked to try?
- What would it give to you to be known in this way?
- How would having a different name affect your chosen appearance?
- What would be your favourite color(s)?
- Would you be more feminine, frivolous, dramatic, natural, traditional, quirky (or choose your own adjective) or stay exactly the same?
- How could you bring some of these new characteristics into your current wardrobe?
- What would it feel like for you to do so?
- What have you learned ?
- What actions might you now take as a result?
Have fun with it. You never know what insights you might gain as a result.
Hi Sue, I love that. I think we all went through that. I can relate to it! I’ve always hated my name, for me it’s too generic, too long, too much in some many ways. When I was younger, going out with my girlfriends I always used a different name, it was our little joke, and my girlfriends used to ask me ‘who are you going to be tonight?” I gave one my many names to my daughter ‘Camille’. LOL. It’s so true our name is like clothe we cannot take off. It has a meaning, an impact and it’s not always the one we feel is right. I like the Chinese concept, having the opportunity to change it at least once would be helpful.
Yes, it’s very interesting isn’t it. How fabulous that we can get to choose though. If it’s not right, we can do something about it and so it is with out clothing. This is why my programme, Style for your Soul is SO powerful.
Very interesting Sue. I think your name can become you or you become like your name! I have recently been in conversations with a Sue and a Jean about that very same thing that they are likely to be 50 plus for Sue’s like you say and similar for Jean. I have always loved my name Catherine, I am still a Catherine although at different times I have been a Katie, Kate, Cathy and Cat, all fine but I draw the line at Cath! I feel that sounds older and not really me?! (Sorry to the Cath’s out there! no offence meant)
I did think when I was young it might be nice to be called Charlotte, but it is still of a similar ilk to Catherine, so I feel quite lucky with may name!
Yes, I agree. The good thing about my name, like yours, is that different people use varying derivations of it. To my mother I will always be a Susan, to my husband, Suzie, to past partners I’ve been called Sukie, Suze and Sooey and I like the variations. Interesting that your name is in the media spotlight at the moment with Kate Middleton, now becoming a Catherine. Wonder what she thinks about the change?
Wow, Jane. I love this! I took a writing class a few years ago and one of the first exercises was to write about your name. It was a great exercise!
My full maiden name is Lisa Ann Lucia Montanaro. Now that’s Italian! I always loved that it was ethnic as I identify so strongly with my Italian heritage. I am grateful that my mother fought for Lisa, as my maternal grandfather wanted to name me after the Mona Lisa. My parents liked the idea, but not the Mona part. I am not a “Mona”!
What’s interesting is that I have a pretty common name for the NY area growing up when I did, and yet, I fancy myself a bit of a non-confirmist. Interesting…
I love my last name so much that I use it instead of my married name. Even my husband loves it. Montanaro means of the mountains in Italian, and when pronounced correctly, sounds like you are singing. Just lovely.
If I had to choose, I may actually go even more unique and ethnic, and have used Lucia… so beautiful! Cool to think about. Thanks for the thought provoking post.
Warmly – Lisa
Oh the mountain and the singing qualities of your name sound marvellous. Don’t blame you for keeping such a fabulous name. Interesting that, like me, you had a fairly usual name growing up but now are seeking uniqueness. Wondering how you might put that message into what you wear. Sue
Hi Sue, what a lovely article! I’ve often thought about my name and what it would be like to have another. My Mom wanted to name me Margo but my Dad pushed for Nadine Paula Walz. Nadine means “hope”, Paula is after my Dad Paul who has since passed away and Walz was originally “Waltz” but my Grandfather dropped the “t” to be less recognized as Russian by the Germans. And, I love my married name because of the alliteration and its English/Irish descent. So essentially, I’m a dancer full of hope named after my Dad who was and will always be the reason I became an entrepreneur. I’m so proud of that. Thank you for helping me see it. ~ Nadine xo
Hi Nadine, what a beautiful story. Interesting that you have an English/Irish new surname because you actually look a little Celtic. Really suits you. I looked up Margo for you and it means ‘pearl’ Don’t know if that resonates, with you or your mum. X
Hi Sue, really cool article. I always wished my name was Jasmine ‘cos its so flirty and flowery sounding. I am pretty sure with a name like Jasmine, I would have been more of a lady. Sigh!