what's in a name

[threebetrayals]

Sender: Anonymous
To: Everyone
Subject: Names

[Sorry, he's not going to put his "name" to something like this. It's awkward, and given that his "name" right now is just "Nameless Wanderer", he's pretty sure attaching it to this post would get people asking questions that aren't any of their business.]

Do you like your name? What does it mean? Who gave it to you? Would you change it if you could, and if you would what would it be?

I'm doing some research on names and why humans get so attached to them or don't.

Comments

[belheir]

It's hard to say if it suits me. I like to think I'm a pretty peaceful person in general? But it's not like I haven't gotten mad or anything like that.

Though I guess I don't care as much, since it was the name my parents gave to me. So I guess any name they could have given me I'd have been just as happy with.

[threebetrayals]

I knew humans put a lot of stock in their parents, but I never realized how much. So as long as the name wasn't an insult, you would have been fine? Or would you not care if it was an insult, so long as they gave it to you?

[belheir]

Not all humans like their parents, so my outlook can really only be used for me.

A parents name for their child tends to be a wish for them, I think. I don't think that a parent would name their child something insulting? Even if the parent didn't love them, it's socially frowned upon enough that I don't think it'd happen.

[threebetrayals]

I see. I assume it would also be socially frowned upon to not name a child at all.

[belheir]

I don't think that's really possible, at least in the society I'm from. Everyone born has a birth certificate, and on it is their name.

I mean, I guess it could be possible to not go to the hospital to give birth, but it'd be pretty dangerous.

[threebetrayals]

It sounds like there's a lot of paperwork involved in having children where you're from. What if someone wants to change their name? Is there paperwork involved?

[belheir]

Yeah, you can change your name with paperwork. Obviously I've never done it, but it's not that uncommon either.

I guess there is a lot of paperwork involved, but that's only when your first born, or if you're changing your name.

[threebetrayals]

That seems like too much effort all around. What if a child is abandoned?