Names help define our world, and ourselves as people. They are symbols that help to describe people, places, and things. We know that for example the name ‘chair’, refers to something you sit on, and quite often has four legs. Originally, this term meant a place of authority, and can still be seen in the term ‘chairman’. Just as the origin of the word ‘chair’ is no longer very valid in our society, so are the meanings behind our personal names.

In ancient times, it was believed that names held great power. For example, in the Babylonian Talmud, it says:

From where do we know that a name has a causal effect (”shama garim”). Says Rabbi Elazar: the verse says, (Psalms 46:9) “Go see the works of God, who puts desolation (shamot) in the earth.” Read not “desolation” but “names” (shemot). (B.T. Berachot 7b)

Ancient pagan and what we now call ‘occult’ beliefs, say that to know the name of something, means we have power over it. For this reason, people often had two names, one that they were referred by, and a sacred name they kept to themselves. Some pagan groups, believed that if they took on the name of their deity, that they would become a vehicle for the soul of that deity.

Some Native Americans, believed that a person’s name should change as they evolve, to reflect who they had become. Over the years, I have changed my name several times, in this tradition. I have found that my actual personality alters and changes, according to the name I have taken on, and I have witnessed this in other people.

Years ago, I read a book that claimed to reveal the personalities behind people’s names. It was stunningly accurate, and a great inspiration for me to change my own name. I began to notice that people I met with the same names, had very similar personalities.

One method of seeing what your name reveals can be found in numerology. Simply make a chart by listing the numbers 1 through 9 horizontally on a piece of paper. Start with 1, and list A under it, and continue with the rest of the alphabet. If you have drawn the chart properly, then 1 will equal A, J, and S. Now, write down your name. Under each letter of your name, put it’s corresponding number. Add up all of the numbers.

My name is Shadow Myth. and my name equals 46, or 10, or 1. As you can see, I reduced the numbers down to their prime influences. All of the numbers in the name will have influences, especially those that repeat themselves. In my name the numbers 1, 8, and 4, are repeated twice each. From my own numerological interpretations, this name means I will be working toward bringing myself into a more balanced state with a focus on structure, and great transformational change.

According to the online numerology engine I just put my name into, my name generally means:

The characteristics of #1 are: Initiating action, pioneering, leading, independent, attaining, individual.

A more in depth look at this site’s interpretation of my name, proved to be dead on accurate in describing my personality. You can try it out with your own name here. Try it using just your first name, and then with the name you sign on paperwork. Also, try it using your whole name. For the married women out there, try it using your maiden name. This way, you can see the differences between the person you were, and the person you have become.

In most places, we are born with the name our parents gave to us. This is an awesome power, the power of naming, and one should question if they are happy with the one they were given. Family members can be greatly prejudice in our society, toward changing one’s birth name. Most of my birth family refuse to call me anything but my ‘given’ name, and so I just avoid them. I figure if they lack the respect to call me what I choose to be called, then they truly do not respect me as an individual.

If you were to change your name, you may also meet with resistance from friends and colleagues. In my opinion, those who really care about you, will support you in your decision. Those who are greatly adverse to the idea, are merely being selfish, and wanting you to always remain the same for their sake. Many people fear change, and would rather stick with that which is familiar. Most people will become comfortable with the new name over time, and the old you will be but a memory.

I have up until this point, legally changed my full name twice. Shadow Myth, will be my third legal name change. I was happy to see that there is now an online service to help make legal name changes quite easy. At LegalZoom, name changes start at only $139, and most of the work is done for you.

Why did I choose Shadow Myth for my name? In my beliefs, ’shadow’ is the state in between chaos and order, and from it all possibilities arise. In a way you could say shadow is the magical substance that dreams are made of. The word myth, means ’surviving belief’, and is a story that describes the origin of the world. My name basically is a symbol, of my creating my own story from the fabric of reality. It is my way of claiming my personal power, and making the story of my life, my responsibility.

If you are interested in more information about names, here are a few links:

• 20,000 Names From Around the World
• Names Reveal Our Personalities
• A Brief History of Names
• Behind the Name

Remember, you have the power to name yourself if you so choose, your destiny is your own.

Be sure to visit my Ideas & Philosophy section!

[tags]names, name changes, legal name changes, maiden names, birth names, given names, history of names, philosophy, ideas, legal services, numerology, personality analysis, shadowmyth, lockergnome[/tags]