What's in a name?

Rogel writes in his blogabout the importance of naming his child.

Growing up I began to understand that there is, in this family legend, more than just an old mans desire to demonstrate illustrious lineage. This legend was intended to teach me about the history of my family, about the importance of naming and remembering past generations.

The name that you choose for your child can mean different things for each culture. For my own family in Norway the name you chose would affect the last name for the next generation. If your name was Hans Olsen and you named your son Olaf, your son's name would send up being Olaf Hansen meaning "Son of Hans". The first name would be used in the last name of the next generation. I think that the importance of names in regards to your heritage is being lost for some people in this generation. A name should be something that defines you. And it is great if you pick a name that has ties to your family history. For my children, we did not choose names necessarily from the ancestors but chose names with a particular meaning. After having 2 miscarriages, my daughter Celeste was born. Her name means "From the heavens" and to us she truly is a blessing from the heavens.
I think that a name should help tell something about you whether it is something about your ancestry or what you parents see in you.

Technorati Tags: Family, Baby Naming, Ancestors