It's always very difficult choosing your child's name. It's the one thing that they will be identified by for the rest of their lives. No pressure! So how do you choose? Some people choose based on the sound of the name or others the 'convenience'. For example people would sway from choosing a name like Wilhelmina because it is hard to spell.
But in the past names were chosen from their meaning. This is still popular practice in cultures like Chinese. It is shown that in many ancient cultures parents believed that a child's name would determine their future. For example, taken from ancient Celtic tradition, Iestyn meaning archer. A popular meaning was warrior as warriors were highly valued people in society then. Meanings weren't just proffessions either, but personality traits too. These are the meanings we are mainly left with today.
Another ancient tradition is a naming ceremony. Still in the twentieth century was it popular to have a christening for new-borns. In my opinion it is very nice to celebrate not just the word that will stay with your child for ever more but at the same time celebrate the birth of the child, with all your friends and family. I am not saying we should all take advantage of a Christian ceremony. But perhaps there should be an equivalent that does not directly involve religion.
Interesting info:The name Boudicca means victory. It is disputed whether this meaning aroused after the famous Celtic queen Boudicca or whether she was purposely called that by her parents who had high hopes for her.
But in the past names were chosen from their meaning. This is still popular practice in cultures like Chinese. It is shown that in many ancient cultures parents believed that a child's name would determine their future. For example, taken from ancient Celtic tradition, Iestyn meaning archer. A popular meaning was warrior as warriors were highly valued people in society then. Meanings weren't just proffessions either, but personality traits too. These are the meanings we are mainly left with today.
Another ancient tradition is a naming ceremony. Still in the twentieth century was it popular to have a christening for new-borns. In my opinion it is very nice to celebrate not just the word that will stay with your child for ever more but at the same time celebrate the birth of the child, with all your friends and family. I am not saying we should all take advantage of a Christian ceremony. But perhaps there should be an equivalent that does not directly involve religion.
Interesting info:The name Boudicca means victory. It is disputed whether this meaning aroused after the famous Celtic queen Boudicca or whether she was purposely called that by her parents who had high hopes for her.
Thank you to 'Fizz' magazine for suggesting the topic! :)
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