“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” So said Shakespeare through Juliet’s voice to Romeo. What do you think? Would a rose still smell as sweet if it were called something else, like maybe a “hose?!”

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links as well as paid links, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. For Amazon links, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support. Please see the full disclosure for more information. That said, please note that I will only recommend products I definitely would (or have already) use myself.

So What’s in a Name?

Names are more than just words; they carry identity, history, and connection. From Shakespeare’s musings to today’s emphasis on personal identity, names shape how we see the world and how it sees us.

Names define us as much as we lend our own definitions to them, making them a delightful mix of meaning, identity, and even the occasional mispronunciation! I’ve certainly been on both ends of that—having my name mispronounced and mispronouncing others without realizing it.

Looking at the Name Itself

Imagine for a moment—just one moment—a name as a tiny suitcase. It carries stories, history, and sometimes a whole family’s aspirations. Yet, it fits neatly into just a few syllables. I wish I could travel as efficiently, don’t you?

There’s so much variety, not just in the names themselves, but in the how, why, what, when, and where of naming. Some names are inherited, like heirlooms; others are carefully chosen after much deliberation (I recall how my husband and I discussed our kids’ names before they were born!). Some are crafted out of thin air, and many follow trends of the times.

Now Let us Look at the Owner of the Name

Have you ever met someone whose name perfectly matches their personality? Or someone whose name is the complete opposite of what you’d expect? Like meeting a Chase who’s incredibly patient. It feels like either the name or the owner loves a good plot twist, doesn’t it?

Everything Within a Name and Beyond

In this article, Jonathan Wynn notes how sociologist Norbert Elias (The Society of Individuals) writes that forenames or first names are the “I” identities (our individual names) while surnames or last names refer to our “we” identities and hint at our family/ancestry/collective. Please do read Wynn’s article in full for it is a fascinating (and quick) read.

Wynn’s mention of occupational surnames in certain cultures struck a chord with me. I have seen it in the Parsi community in India where surnames parallel their ways of life. I grew up knowing many and have amazing friends from this sweet community even today. Here’s a humor-filled look at Parsi surnames from an insider perspective if you’re in the mood for a chuckle.

Then there are middle names, which often honor older relatives, uphold traditions, or simply carry a story of their own.

And, of course, nicknames! They’re like open secrets—tokens of affection, rebellion, or camaraderie. A nickname can transform a simple name into something uniquely personal. Think about how a friend calling you “Ace” or “Sunshine” warms your heart more than your actual name.

The Stories Behind the Name

Behind every name lies a tale—whether it’s the cultural significance or the playful nickname someone gave you, or something else completely. Names have a way of linking us to our roots, sparking curiosity, and building relationships.

As for me, my parents named me Vidya, which means wisdom or knowledge. My dad affectionately gave me the nickname Guddi, and there’s another name—not official and rarely used these days—that my paternal grandfather chose for me: Kamakshi. He named me after the goddess Kamakshi of the famed Kanchipuram temple in Tamil Nadu, India.

My grandfather was steadfast in using the name Kamakshi for me. He addressed me that way even in his letters. When I first moved into my college dorm (or hostel), he mailed me a letter addressed to Kamakshi. The hostel warden, unfamiliar with the name, refused to hand it over, suspecting it either wasn’t meant for me or contained something secretive! To resolve the confusion, I asked the warden to read the letter to ensure there was nothing suspicious in it. After verifying its content, he handed it over, and from then on, all letters addressed to Kamakshi at the hostel reached me without further incident.

There’s also a family friend who used to (and still does) call me Kamakshi. As a little girl, I took this so literally that I started referring to him as “Kamakshi uncle.” To this day, I still use that name for him in family conversations!

As you can see, each of my names carries its own story, connecting me to my family, traditions, and cherished memories.

How about you? Do you have a name story or a musing of your own? Let’s make this suitcase even fuller!

In Conclusion

Names are the first gift we receive, a connection to our roots, and a bridge to those around us. They’re containers of history and symbols of individuality, carrying meanings that evolve as we do. While a name might not define us, it’s undeniably a canvas we paint with our stories, quirks, and aspirations.

So, what’s in a name? Everything and nothing. It’s both a label and a legacy, a foundation and a reflection. At its core, a name gains significance not from its sound or spelling but from the life we infuse into it.

As we carry our names through the chapters of life, they remind us of where we’ve been and inspire us toward who we’re becoming. And perhaps, that’s their most profound gift.

Tips to Remember Names

1. Connect It to a Story or a Visual: When introduced to someone new, associate their name with a story, image, or emotion. For example, if someone is named Lily, picture a vibrant lily flower in your mind.
2. Repeat and Reinforce: Use their name multiple times in the conversation. “Nice to meet you, Lily! So, Lily, what brings you here today?” This might feel odd but I guarantee you it works. I am bad with names but whenever I remember to use this memory technique for names (:)), I end up remembering that name.
3. Make It Rhyme or Fun: Play with rhymes or alliteration. If you meet a Sara, think “Sara sings sweetly”. This trick adds an element of fun.
4. Write It Down: Note it down somewhere – a sticky note or on your phone, paired with a unique detail—like “John, loves sudoku.” It creates a quick mental snapshot!
5. Introduce the person to others: If possible and the situation allows for it, introduce the person to others you know (and hopefully whose names you remember well). This adds another way to reinforce the name into your memory.
6. Ask for the story behind their names. If the name is unique, or even if not. Why were they named so and who named them?
7. Be Honest if You Forget: If a name slips your mind, don’t panic! Politely ask, “I’m sorry, could you remind me of your name?” Honesty builds rapport.

And you can watch this video too from memory expert Ron White (Brain Games fame)

A Sandwich of Names

It is time for another six degrees of separation – the bookish sort. This month we begin with a beach read – Sandwich by Catherine Newman.

Sandwich by Catherine Newman—> Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt —> The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty —> Thunder Boy Jr by Sherman Alexie —> Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal  —> The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel—> The Sweetness of Forgetting by Kristin Harmel —> Sandwich by Catherine Newman

The Pairs

Sandwich —> Shouting at the Rain

The link: Cape Cod

Sandwich by Catherine Newman. As always, I have neither read the starter book nor was I familiar with it before seeing it here on #6degrees. It sounds like something I will be reading soon though (again, as always with these books!)

But I have read Newman before, albeit in a nonfiction self-help read for teens- How to Be a Person – which is amazing to say the least – very useful to have for parents and teens!

Book Description(Sandwiched): From the author of We All Want Impossible Things comes a hilarious and heartfelt story of family, secrets, and self-discovery. Each year, Rocky cherishes her family’s Cape Cod vacation—a week of sunny memories and chaotic mishaps. But this summer, as she juggles aging parents, teenage kids, and her own menopause struggles, a series of events forces her to confront long-buried truths. In just one week, everything shifts, and Rocky must embrace change, let go, and open up to those she loves.

Linking Sandwiched to Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s middle-grade read Shouting at the Rain with a Cape Cod connection (accidental alliteration!) I am reading it currently and enjoying it so far.

Book Description(Shouting): Delsie, a weather enthusiast, faces storms in her own life as she longs for a “regular family” and grapples with a friend’s betrayal. Supported by her Grammy, caring neighbors, and new friend Ronan—who has his own struggles—they explore Cape Cod, learning the difference between sadness and anger, brokenness and wholeness, and abandonment and love. Together, they discover they can weather any storm.

Shouting at the Rain —> The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

The link: Grandmoms and 12-year-old girls and making new friends

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty

Book Description (Miscalculations..): Lightning changed Lucy Callahan’s life, giving her genius-level math skills and a homeschool routine she loves. But at 12, her grandma has a new equation for her: one year of middle school, one friend, one activity, and one non-math book. Reluctantly, Lucy steps out of her comfort zone, discovering that even the smartest plans can change when friendship and new experiences enter the equation.

I discovered this when I was checking out Shouting… in recommended reads, and given all that it is – I had to add it to my TBR. I already know I will love it but you will see a review sometime here.

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl —> Thunder Boy Jr

The link: Lightning and … thunder 🙂

Sherman Alexie’s picture book Thunder Boy Jr is adorable and heartwarming. Check out my review here. Totally giftable for sure for dads everywhere.

Book Description (Thunder Boy): Thunder Boy Jr. wants a normal name…one that’s all his own. Dad is known as big Thunder, but little thunder doesn’t want to share a name. He wants a name that celebrates something cool he’s done like Touch the Clouds, Not Afraid of Ten Thousand Teeth, or Full of Wonder.
But just when Little Thunder thinks all hope is lost, dad picks the best name…Lightning! Their love will be loud and bright, and together they will light up the sky.

Thunder Boy Jr —> Alma and How She Got Her Name 

The link: What is in a name?

I know I read Juana Martinez-Neal’s Alma and How She Got Her Name a while ago but looks like I never reviewed it. It is a sweet sweet story with whimsical gentle illustrations that will make a great gift for parents.

Book Description (Alma): Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela thinks her name is far too long—until her father shares the stories behind each part of it. Through tales of relatives who loved, dreamed, and created, Alma discovers her name holds her family’s history and hints at her own story yet to unfold. Juana Martinez-Neal’s debut beautifully celebrates identity, heritage, and the power of names.

Alma and How She Got Her Name  —> The Book of Lost Names

The link: The word “name”

Kristin Harmel’s The Book of Lost Names is a powerful read (and a WWII read, which made it a must-read for me).

Book Description (Lost Names): Eva Traube Abrams, a retired librarian, is stunned to see a photograph of The Book of Lost Names in the New York Times—a book she hasn’t seen since World War II. Now housed in Berlin, the book contains a mysterious code only Eva can decipher, tied to her past as a forger in Nazi-occupied France. In 1942, Eva risked her life creating fake documents for Jewish children fleeing to Switzerland, secretly recording their real names in the book to preserve their identities. Decades later, Eva must decide if she’s ready to confront the memories and secrets she left behind.

The Book of Lost Names —> The Sweetness of Forgetting

The link: Kristin Harmel

I am yet to read The Sweetness of Forgetting but I hope to get to all of Harmel’s books soon (including this one).

Book Description (Sweetness): At 36, Hope McKenna-Smith is juggling a failing bakery in Cape Cod, a troubled preteen, and her grandmother Mamie’s fading memories. In a rare lucid moment, Mamie hints at long-hidden secrets from WWII Paris, prompting Hope to travel to France with a list of names and uncover a 70-year-old mystery. As she pieces together her grandmother’s past, Hope discovers stories of love, loss, and resilience during the Holocaust, and finds the courage to reunite lovers torn apart by war—learning that hope and faith can be found in even the smallest things, like cake.

The Sweetness of Forgetting —> Sandwich

The link: Cape Cod

Circling back to Sandwich and also to the first link (Cape Cod!)

Related Reads: What’s in a Name After All?

• How to Learn and Remember New Words
• Peter Barry’s Birds: What’s in a Name?: from Accipiter to Zoothera The Origin of Bird Names
• and A. M. Barrett’s What’s In A Name?: From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. How Every Country Got Its Name
  

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, as always, the first question is regarding the books in the chain here? Have you read any of them? If so, which ones, and your thoughts on them? If not, which one intrigues you the most? And do share the story behind your name, or other interesting name stories you know/have heard. Do share your thoughts on ‘what’s in a name’ and your tips to remember names.