Good Names
By LMReviews on May 10, 2009 in Multicultural Writing
A good name is more than how it sounds to the ear; it has a lot to do with its place in culture and society. Certainly, President Obama had to overcome the connotations that are associated with the name Hussein, which happens to be his middle name. We’ve read the news stories about parents wanting to name their children Adolf or Osama.
While any given name can conjure negative memories for someone who encounters our works, we must be mindful in how we select names for our characters. Whether we realize it or not, many names reflect certain morals or the lack of them. For instance, names like Adam, Eve, David or Mary will probably always bring to mind figures of the Bible. Names like Lolita or Candi among others will bring about less than wholesome references.
Choosing a name is not a frivolous endeavor. Whether you’re naming a child, a pet, a business or fictional character, the name you choose may impact the results you receive.
