Chapter Four: What's in a name?

We have often heard the adage written by Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet :

"What's in a name?That which we call a rose
by any other name would smell as sweet."

Yet, many believe a name is highly important; and that if named something different, we would eminate different personalities and characteristics.

In the scriptures
we see the importance of a name.
Many prophets names were changed to represent important concepts, ideas, and teachings. Many reliogious people name their children after thse in the scriptures in hope that their children become good and righteous.

As a genealogist,
it is interesting to watch the name patterns,
because the names meant something important
and connects the past and the future for most families.

Some believe our names are the cornerstones of our personality
and that they tell alot about who we are and who we will become.
Social science research has found that the names we are given a birth carry substantial pyschological weight;
and that we define our very selves by these names.

Even different cultures and countries have patterns and traditios in naming their children.
Russians are usually named after saints.
Everyday of the year is named after a particular saint: if you are born that day, you usually inherit that name.
In Iceland they have a specific
national registrary of names that you can name your children. If a name does not show up, then you can't name your children.
This is to preserve the "Icelandic" names.
(Currently, Pabbi's name is not on the registrar,
so no one can be named that.)

In Ghana, they name children according to the day of the week,
and they are also given a English name.

(I took the following info from a fellow adoptive mom)

"The Ghanaian Day Name is the name assigned to the child born on a specific day of the week which also includes characteristics of the child born on the specific day of the week. This day name also, called the Kradin name, is carried on throughout the life of the child, and amazingly accurate as horoscopes in the western world."

Day of Birth

Name

FEMALE MALE

Monday

Adwoa, Adzo, Ajoba, Ejo (female)

Bobo, Jojo, Kobie, Kojo, Kwodwo (male)

Tuesday

Abena, Abla, Araba (female)

Ebo, Kobena, Kwabina (Male)

Wednesday

Aku, Akuba, Ekua, Ekuwa, Kuukuwa (female)

Kuuku, Kwaku, Kweku (male)

Thursday

Aba, Yaa, Yaaba, Yaayaa (female)

Ekow, Yao, Yaw, Yokow (male)

Friday

Afi, Afua, Efie, Efua (female)

Fifi, Kofi, Yoofi (male)

Saturday

Ama, Awo (female)

Ato, Atoapem, Kwame, Kwamena (male)

Sunday

Akosua, Esi, Kisi (female)

Akwasi, Kwesi, Siisi (male)

Day of Birth

Description

Monday

Calm, tranquil, and cool (like icewater), skillful and adept under pressing conditions

Tuesday

Warm, gentle, eloquent and compassionate

Wednesday

Mischievous, vicarious, vigilant and daring

Thursday

Eager for battle, a big rock in one's pocket, skillful in dealing with people

Friday

The wanderer, adventurous, wisdom and tenacity

Saturday

Possesses the medicine for snake bites, able to reverse crisis, thorough and painstakingly scrupulous, Saturday is also God's Day

Sunday

Tail of the Animal, protection from flies and danger, very protective of others and patient

(What day were you born on? Which Ghanaian name would you choose?)

I feel a person named particularly can live up to the meaning of their name;
or at the very least feel that it holds great importance and values that s/he may posses.
Our names do impact us.

We love the name *Sufi and truly think it is no coincedence that he is named as such.

God has heard our prayers and blessed us with him.

We do hope as we learn more about him, we will find out his Kradin name as well.

We love you Sufi!

*Name has been changed