What’s In A Name?
In William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet speaks to herself and asks, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet” (act 2, scene 2, lines 43–44). By definition your name is a word by which you are known. Your name serves not only as a personal identifier in the present, but it also carries with it your reputation, legacy and standing amongst your peers into the future and even the eternities. The value of a good name is not limited to those who know you well, but also for all those who know little more than bits and pieces of your life. A good name can go before you to open doors and can even engender respect and garnish trust from those you have yet to meet.
My first given name “Rudolph” is of germanic origin meaning famous wolf. And while that’s interesting to know I’m pretty sure that’s not why my parents named me Rudolph. It’s certainly not what came to mind when I heard my name as a child. In fact in elementary school and even into junior high the sound of my name conjured up the image, at least in the minds of my friends, of a red nosed reindeer and a catchy little christmas song. Honestly I can’t remember once thinking of myself as a famous wolf.
Rudolph is a family name. Both my grandfather and my father’s first names are Rudolph. When I hear their names I think of many characteristics and personality traits shared by both men such as; hard work, persistence, confidence, perseverance, never giving up, dedication to family, love for music, generosity and physical strength to mention a few. All qualities exemplified by the way my grandfather and father lived their lives.
My middle name is Dean, after a favorite cousin of my father. My parents called me Rudy Dean for the first several years of my life. As time passed they began calling me exclusively by my middle name. I'm not sure whether the change was out of convenience, or if they decided that Dean fit me better.
Those who know me well will likely agree that I am my mother’s son. What I mean to say is that in many respects I am more like my mom Barbara than my dad. My mother is known for her kindness, generosity, forgiving nature, patience, testimony of the gospel and her willingness to help whenever possible. The mention of her name reminds me of the love that the savior wants me to develop and share with others.
Because of my parent’s good names, reputations and good deeds many doors have been opened for me and my family. Doors leading to educational opportunities, friendships, and trust which have enhanced my life. As a result of the many positive memories my siblings and I have of our parents, the names Barbara and Rudolph will continue to be passed on in our family for generations. I know of one niece, two nephews, my son, and two grandsons who also carry their names.
In response to Shakespeare's question, “What’s in a name?” I would respond EVERYTHING. Your name should be your most prized possession, an invaluable asset. It can be the means by which great deeds are inspired, and heavenly blessings are claimed. No so much the name alone, for it is only a word. But what the name represents and comes to mean can be everything.
In Proverbs we read, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches . . .” (Proverbs 22:1)
That brings to mind two questions. Why is a good name better than riches? And what constitutes a good name?
A good name is more valuable than all of the money in the world. Does this assertion seem foreign, strange or not what you hear everyday. Think about it. In the 21st century men and women are lauded for their worldly success and often in the same breath are mentioned great riches, fancy cars, lifestyles of the rich and famous and all of the trappings of wealth. Rare are the stories of lasting, meaningful relationships and happiness in the lives of the rich and famous. This sad state of affairs applies equally to Hollywood stars, professional athletes and business persons alike. I dare say that money cannot buy happiness, but a good name can. Building a good name is worth the effort, it is the currency used to purchase peace of mind, trust and honor.
Sadly for many somewhere along the road to riches the burdensome luggage of honesty, fidelity, morality, obedience to the commandments, honoring covenants, love of god and of our fellow man gets discarded to lighten the load. To facilitate and even accelerate one’s climb to the top of the ladder of success. And all too often, after a lifetime of climbing, they poke their head out of the clouds only to discover that the ladder they’ve been climbing was leaning on the wrong wall. They learn that the things which mattered most in life were not attained by climbing the gilded gold leafed ladder, bedecked with jewels and trinkets that glitter, but instead life's most important treasures were obtained by climbing the simple wooden ladder fashioned by a humble carpenter.
The ladders promising to lead to riches are nothing more than a temporal illusion. From the lofty rungs of life's ladders occasional glimpses of the vast heavens remind climbers, if they’re lucky and not past feeling, that what they’ve spent a lifetime climbing is little more than an ant hill on a small little planet somewhere on the outskirts of an immeasurable sea of galaxies with countless similar planets scattered throughout.
So what exactly is a good name? Strong sounding, feminine, catchy, biblical, historical, trendy, or familial all have ability to enhance our experiences in life. On the flip side, a really terrible name (I won’t bother to list them), ones that remind us of dishonest, evil or selfish persons can also be a hinderance. Like it or not, that’s just a fact of life.
I like to think of a good name (given or surname) as being like a piece of carry-on luggage. It goes everywhere with us as we travel. It never has to be checked in or stowed out of sight with the common baggage of life. It’s always close at hand for every occasion and circumstance. Further imagine that placed on the outside of your luggage are colorful stickers, reminders of where you’ve been and what you have accomplished.
The best part of this luggage is what’s preserved inside, all that you’ve become, all that you are known and remembered for. Things like integrity, honesty, faithfulness, fidelity, love and charity. Also packed in your name, your personal carry-on luggage, are things like being a good spouse, a loving parent, a good listener, a good provider. A good name carries with it all these things and more.
A little over a week ago our 10th grandchild was born, but whose counting right? A perfect little baby boy. His mother and father have yet to settle on this new little guy’s name. Being the patient proud grandfather that I am I have texted them suggestions nearly every day. Mostly just silly names, like Mergatroid Sedlitch and Edeo Pechechio (two of my father’s favorites). I must admit patience is something I’m still working on, but I trust our children to pick great names for their children just as their mother and I did for each of them.
In the Book of Mormon, Helaman tells his sons, Nephi and Lehi, “I have given unto you the names of our first parents [so] that when you remember your names ye may remember them; . . . that they were good” (Helaman 5:6). He hoped that his sons would also “do that which is good,” so that their descendants would remember them in the same manner (verse 7).
Whether the name is familial, scriptural or just seems to fit (inspired) is not what’s most important. What really matters, whatever your name might be, is how you honor your name, the legacy connected with your name and the future good that will result from how you are remembered.
Just as we are influenced by the actions and characteristics of our ancestors, and reminded of them by the sound of their name, so too we have the ability to influence for better our posterity.
Many of the blessings we enjoy today are the direct result of the faith and sacrifices of those who came before us. And many of the blessing our children and grandchildren will experience will be the direct result of our faithful obedience to God’s commandments and our willingness to make and keep sacred covenants.
Our names represent who we are. They become the manner by which we will be known not only on the records of the church, but also by all whom we come into contact with. Along with our name comes our reputation. Good or bad, how we are generally regarded is inextricably linked to our name. In mortality as well as in the eternities our name and reputation are inseparable.
In addition to the name we receive from our earthly parents there is another name by which we should also be known.
In Mosiah we are told by King Benjamin,
“I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ.”
King Benjamin then continued,
“Ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you. ”
What does the name Jesus Christ mean to you? When your hear His name what thoughts come to mind? Strength as he drove the money changers from the temple; Humility as His Roman guards taunted and spat upon Him; Submissiveness in the garden of gethsemane as He yielded to the will of his Father; Sacrifice as He permitted Himself to be nailed to a cross and offered up His life as payment for the sins of all mankind. With very little effort this list could go on for pages.
Do you see how each of the things He accomplished can bring to mind characteristics and traits worthy of emulation? Can you also see how, in albeit small yet nonetheless significant ways, your actions in mortality can bring to mind qualities, characteristics and traits that your posterity could benefit from? When you hear the name of your Savior do your feel reverence? Love? A desire to be a better person? Motivation to do more, or to do better?
When others hear your name what do they think? More importantly, long after your have left this mortal sphere, when your name is spoken by your children and grandchildren what will they remember? Will your name and good standing inspire them to do better, to work harder, to be faithful, to be more patient and to follow Christ?
I began this post by quoting a portion of a scripture from the book of Proverbs chapter 22 verse 1, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” . . . .
Here is the rest of that verse, “and loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
As always the choice is yours. Matthew counseled, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.” (Matthew 6:19)
Choose to make for yourself a good name and in so doing receive the blessings of loving favor from your Father in Heaven, your spouse and your posterity. Then the riches of eternal life will be yours.