Image: Indian actress Preity Zinta
(modesty apparently is maintained
by a little twist in the name) (here)
'Hank' means 'Ruler of the Home'
Taken to mean leadership is provided
within the environment of home
The brood within given shelter not scattered
Stable home surroundings extended
Matching to Hank born a Leo the lion-hearted
'So what's in a name?
'A rose by any other name would
smell just as sweet' so quipped Juliet to her beau, Romeo.!
Whatever had been given to those privileged as a name
are called upon to jealously, and honorably keep them
safely guarded. It is the sweetest word in the dictionary
for one to hear one's own name and it is offensive to
not calling a person by their names
There will be attempts in real life to cause anguish and
that a name may be subjected to ridicule and besmirched
perhaps through uncalled for rivalry or through bad intentions.
It has been said a name with some dubious meanings but
sweet-sounding unwittingly given may cause hardships to
the person who are often dogged by ill-luck through life
On the other hand there are old fashioned beliefs among
eastern cultures that one should not antagonize the spirits
by unabashedly giving names like Miss Beautiful to a
pretty girl. In fact modesty may even be taken to the
extreme by naming the pretty child as Miss Ugly just
so she is not scorned by others for thinking too highly
of herself so Mom unashamedly named her so.
So what's in a name?
Amaya's at d'Verse's Poetics - what's in a name?
Good point: "one should not antagonize the 'Gods'"
ReplyDeleteMiss Ugly would be a terrible name.
ReplyDeleteIn the Bible, names and their meanings are very important.
"it is offensive to
ReplyDeletenot calling a person by their names"
I agree. So often when we apologetically say, "I'm so bad with names..." it usually means we weren't listening to the person when introduced and/or we don't give that person a second thought to reinforce learning their name later. It's always so respectful and loving when a person calls me by my name. Thanks for your poem, Hank.
There's a whole LOT in a name, for sure. In grade school, I was once teased "De-de-de-DUM." Those things stay with you.
ReplyDeleteI think remembering a name is a hard matter, but I love the modesty in name, but calling your baby ugly might take it a bit far.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Miss Ugly sure wouldn't be wise. Lots can be in a name indeed.
ReplyDeleteI've seen a lot of names working in preschool for 38 years. I remember one in particular. I won't say the name, but a synonym was "bully". What were they thinking?!
ReplyDeleteThe name must be chosen with care and diligence. A name is indeed the sweetest word in the dictionary.
ReplyDeleteThere is a great deal of meaning in a name. Yours is well chosen.
ReplyDeleteSMiles.. Hi Hank
ReplyDeletefor mE at least
i've never really
identified with
my Birth Name Then
And still never miss it
Now As few people see
me as It As mostly
i'm just identified
in Real Flesh
And Blood
Life
as the
Dancing
Guy like
'Norm'
off 'Cheers'
Without A
Given name
As Being
i
am Doing
is Dancing
Singing JusT
Enough All For mE..:)
Good question, 'what's in a name'...perhaps the answer lies it how the individual perceives the name. I enjoyed your poem.
ReplyDeleteA good issue Hank, I wonder what my name means.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.