It’s after all a name – one single
name, of somebody or something, animate or inanimate.
What’s there so special in giving a
child, a pet, a home you reside, an institution a name? Does this have any
impact? Does this create any impression? Does this define something about
someone or something? Is it capable of relating, remembering, or stimulating
your imagination? Answers can be in affirmative and/or in negative.
We can do without a name of a pet or
our residence. But no human individual in the world is without a name! For,
it’s basic to identify someone by a name. Our names help us to sign, register,
attest, certify, clarify and prove a point. Pragmatically, name assumes
significance at least for us humans.
An adult may not have much to do with
his or her name; but a child, a growing personality, has. It contributes a lot
in shaping their self esteem, self-faith. They don’t want to be bullied or ridiculed
among peers by their names given by parents! Meaningful names make them feel
proud. And, interestingly, we see adults changing their names for various
reasons! Thus names and for that matter name-giving do have major roles to
play.
The name-giving tradition both in lesser
and major cultures of India is as old as its civilization itself. It’s indeed a
festival like special occasion involving people to observe with a lot of family
and community rituals and with a deep feeling of belongingness. Name-giving
ceremonies and celebrations vary from culture to culture and time to time.
Also, we see how contemporary name trends and patterns evolve depicting
generational gaps. Like inter-cultural, now even global relations determine
name and name-giving trends and patterns. A purely Indian baby today may have a
Chinese or French name and vice versa!
Priests, respectable persons of the
family, close relatives and friends, teachers, community or organizational
heads are generally entrusted to give name to a child, a pet or an institution.
The name is accepted by all the concerned.
When entrusted to give a name how
would you think and feel about it? You must take note of various conditions like
time, culture, people concerned, necessity, future implication, heredity and
other contexts before proposing a name. But in many cases the assignee’s
emotion and complacency rule the roost.
Whatever the name, name giving is well
settled when the rightful or any hierarchy takes charge of the activity. Gladly
or willy-nilly, others have to accept. The authority of parents to name their
child is obvious. When the highest authority in politics, industry or
bureaucracy name an institution, that gets final. Sometimes people without any portfolio
are also asked for to give a name, may be for the sake of inclusiveness,
acceptability, equality or some other good reasons.
It’s when more people are engaged to
propose a name the task gets tougher! Every single person with many ideas,
emotions and expectations comes with a name to propose and get accepted. Here,
all those involved in the whole process must have to reach at a consensus to
opt a name by priority and broad-based context. Otherwise, take resort to
voting.
Those who
nurture an emotion to name someone or something and wish to be accepted among
others they, instead of a single name, prepare a list of them and propose. Here’s
a more possibility of getting accepted than rejected. It can be more
interesting if you are the only proposer. Because, you with a name list give the
party a chance to make their own choice! You involve the party in the process
and make them feel they have also given the name.
Ultimately,
who has given the name? Ah, how wonderful!
Sometimes so happens, the party
concerned may stumble at more than one out of the list and again seek your
advice. You finally give one to settle the matter. Thus name giving becomes an activity
of mutual love and respect – isn’t it a ceremony and celebration?
