The power of names

The class was full of presentations and comments regarding "the power of names". One would not stop to think about this unless they were told to or it was presented to them in class, I suspect. Kari's presentation was wonderfully informative in the way of this power and naming. Jana also did a great job presenting this AND putting me on the spot! Names are powerful in the sense that they are intimidating, personal, form a connection between listener and speaker and in general give power to either the namer, the one being named or both!
Names have the power to exclude, include or be a part of a prelude (I just wanted that to rhyme). Then I thought- thanks to my parents, this is my name...in a way THEY are the ones that had power over my name for so long! Why name me? Why didn't I have the power to choose? Maybe the whole time I was crying after birth was me chanting my name! Ok...this is a bit far fetched, but it's a point nonetheless!

Names also at one point in time represented class! They can represent culture, attitude, religion, beliefs...the list could go on and on. I am amazed at all of these thoughts that I am having regarding simply one thing...NAMES!

Isn't that the first thing you ask when you meet someone, or the first thing they tell you?
"Hi what's your name?" OR "Hi, I am...!" It is familiarity, manners, sincerity. Names have meaning, significance, sentimental value- very similar to objects.

Another random thought- I like the way a name can make you shiver...well I also hate it at the same time! Who's that one person you dislike so much? The one person that makes you happiest? The one person who really hurt you? Isn't there an electrfying feeling that goes right through your body when you hear their name? This happens to me sometimes. At times the feeling is a shiver of excitement, other times it is a wave of regret or hurt. Maybe it is the turning of your stomach or the rose tint to your cheeks that give away your feelings of the name.

I could go on and on with names and feelings, names and sounds, or names and significance! I think it would be fun to make a list of random names, hand the same list out to everyone in a class or group and next to each name write the first thing that comes to mind! I am sure for every name someone would have a feeling/emotion, person or experience/moment to relate back to that name! Just a thought...

Perhaps I will be back for more name knowledge later...