What's in a Name?

      Patricia PacJac Carroll here to have a little fun with names. I might start with PacJac - it's my initials and my husband's. When I started to get on the internet, I found others with my name, but I am the only Patricia PacJac Carroll.

As a writer, the meaning of words is important to me. A few weeks ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. You can follow my healing journey on my blog.  : ) Smiling for when you see the name of my blog.

I went to a hospital and pondered on just why anyone would want to go to a memorial hospital. Makes it sound like your treatment comes with a headstone. I would much rather they call them – Getting Well Center or Hallelujah, I Feel Better Place. Or Fighting Cancer Center. Guess that might be too many words for a sign. Yes, names and words mean something to me. 

Names. Think how important they are and what they mean. In the Bible days,  names had a meaning. Isaac meant laughter. Joshua means God is salvation. Caleb means dog. Hmm. Well, there must have been a good reason for that one. 

Since Easter is close, think about these names. Barabbas means son of the father. And Jesus is the Son of the Father. Interesting. The people were asked to chose the son of a father or the Son of the Father.  Wonder how many caught the irony.

The names of God show His attributes. God Almighty, Prince of Peace, The Great I AM, Lion of Judah, Lamb of God, Mighty Counselor, Our Provider, Our Healer. Messiah. Risen Lord. Jesus, Name above all Names.

Names are important. 

We have the Victorian and Elizabethan eras named after queens of England. What if George Washington had been named Elmer Fink. Would we want to go to Fink D. C.? 

Would John Wayne be as well known if he’d used his real name Marion? Many actors have their names changed to appeal to the audience. For the same reason, authors can spend a lot of time searching for just the right names for their heroes and heroines. Characters with a name that starts with a J, R, or D sound strong. 

Would Gone with the Wind  be the same if instead of Scarlet and Rhett they were Ophelia and Emil?

In the movie, Open Range,  Robert Duvall's character is known as Boss, but before the big fight, he reveals his given name as Bluebonnet.

During the 1890s, Texas had a governor named Jim Hogg. In one of the most cruel examples of poor naming, his daughter was named, Ima. Yes, Ima Hogg. She became known as the 'First Lady of Texas' and lived an interesting life giving to others.

The entire time I was writing Liberty Belle, my heroine was named Ashley. But I knew I would have to change her name because in 1859 Ashley was a man’s name – so she became Liberty. 

To end our fun with names, Celebrate Your Name Week was last week. Explore the link for some fun facts and interesting name trivia.

Leave a comment and let me know what some of your favorite names are.  You might just see them in a book. : )

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