The Power of Naming (2024)

The Power of Naming

During early childhood development, one consequence of the attainment of speech is the relief that comes for a very young child when he or she is able to name something. Giving something a name makes it real, as well as something that can be communicated about. This is a constructive achievement.

There is another, but painfully and unfortunately destructive development that can come as a consequence of naming things. That is naming by coining a phrase for the purpose of legitimizing something that, with any thought, would be subject to repudiation. The phrase may seem clever, and effectively distracts from the actual meaning — such as drive-by shooting, or ethnic cleansing (“cleansing” sound like a good thing, doesn’t it?), and, more recently, chain immigration (“chain” sounds ominous, while the phrase actually refers to an attempt to reunite members of a family).

Recently, the phrase “Washington Street Corridor” has been coined either by the developer or the media to name a project costing megamillions of dollars to redesign and “develop” a significant part of a Boston suburb. Those of us who live in Newtonville, live in a village of Newton (incorporated as a separate town, known as Cambridge Village in 1688, then renamed Newtown in 1691, and finally Newton in 1766, becoming a city in 1873, which is about the time my house was built). We do not live on a “corridor.”

The power of naming exists in its wholesome form. But everything has a shadow — even the power of naming.

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About the Author

The Power of Naming (2)

Susan Rako, M.D., is the author of several books including That’s How the Light Gets In: Memoir of a Psychiatrist and is co-editor of Semrad: The Heart of a Therapist.

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Susan Rako

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The Power of Naming (2024)

FAQs

What is the power of naming? ›

Naming objects can make the world seem less intimidating, creating a sense of companionship and reducing feelings of isolation. Furthermore, the attachment we form with named possessions can enhance our sense of control over our environment.

What is the power of naming things in the Bible? ›

Commentary. God gave human beings the ability and power to name. Just as God separates light from darkness and dry land from water, this biblical text affirms that humans–created in the image of God–may seek to bring order to our chaotic and dynamic world through the process of naming.

What is the power of giving something a name? ›

Benefits of Naming for Personal Development

This self-awareness gives you the ability to make more informed and proactive choices. By identifying and externalizing these internal experiences, you are able to see them for what they are and gain a new perspective.

What is the benefit of naming? ›

Names are an identifier and serve as an entry point to your ecosystem. Descriptive names can serve as wayfinding markers that help customers find products and understand how they relate to each other, much like aisle signs and tags at a supermarket.

Why are names so powerful? ›

Names convey and create meaning. They reveal something about who we are, where we come from, and where we're headed.

What is the power behind names? ›

Our first name reflects the hopes and dreams of our parents and family, our culture, and our own sense of self, while our surname carries our ancestral history, a branding of both affiliation and transmission.

What is the biblical concept of naming? ›

Naming demonstrates authority. When God created man, he gave him the name Adam, and one of the first jobs he gave Adam was to give names to everything put under his care. While naming is tied to authority in the scriptures, it also reveals intimacy. Naming happens in the context of relationships.

Why is naming important? ›

Namings are important. They bring together Family and Friends to celebrate the arrival of a new member of the family, giving a sense of family unity and acknowledgement, helping to develop a bond towards the child and his or her family and friends.

What power do our names hold? ›

A name, or identity, is a powerful thing. It is a descriptor that allows people to make quick judgments and assumptions about us.

Why are names important to God? ›

Biblical names could be used to communicate God's message. Biblical names were also used to establish an affiliation with God. Biblical names are given to establish authority over another, or to indicate a new beginning or new direction in a person's life.

What is the power in the name in the Bible? ›

Every time we call on that name, God in Heaven sees us through the eyes of Jesus. We can use His name in getting anything that we want. And just like any Power of Attorney, Jesus gave us the power to use His name while He was still on earth (John 16:24).

What is the quote about the power of a name? ›

There is power in a name. It is through names that we bring all things into this world, and when they leave, it is names we carry with us, so they are never truly gone.

What is the purpose of strong naming? ›

Strong naming refers to signing an assembly with a key, producing a strong-named assembly. When an assembly is strong-named, it creates a unique identity based on the name and assembly version number, and it can help prevent assembly conflicts.

What is the psychology of naming? ›

Research shows that people hold stereotypes about others based on their names. Names can reveal cultural values and cultural shifts, research suggests. Our names may also influence our personality. Names may also influence important life decisions although this claim is more controversial.

Why is naming a character important? ›

Regardless of how you come to it, we can all agree that what you name a character is important. It indicates where they're from, their family, history, their location in space and time, and their heritage. But when it comes to writing diverse characters, names have even more importance.

What is the power of using name? ›

Remember, people want to be treated as human beings, not objects. Using their name is the fastest and most reliable way of building rapport and creating a good first impression. Everyone has a name — use it to better connect to them. You will notice a difference in your relationships.

Why is naming important in Christianity? ›

Biblical names could be used to communicate God's message. Biblical names were also used to establish an affiliation with God. Biblical names are given to establish authority over another, or to indicate a new beginning or new direction in a person's life.

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