That which we call Beyonce would smell as sweet by any other name

Kids’ names today! I just can’t keep up with all the Cosmoses and Octavios; and don’t even get me started on the spelling! Any pretence that English originated in Anglo-Frisian dialects goes straight out the window with such overuse of x and z that we see today. I believe it was the late, great Alan Bennett who bemoaned generations to come where the Ethels and Doreens in the care home would be replaced by Traceys and Sharons.

It would be nothing new for me to reflect on the classist and snobbish judgements of name complaining, indeed I believe that Katie Hopkins got there before me three years ago on a ‘This Morning’ interview. But what does this phenomenon mean for educational psychologists?

In a recent professionals meeting that I found myself in, the revelation that a child known as Ronnie was in fact a Ronaldinho preoccupied the meeting for several minutes. Most could reflect that this was merely the modern day interpretation of another generation’s Bobbys and Jimmys, however, there was another layer to this discussion. There is an implicit assumption that a Greek god or Biblical parable namesake is superior to a footballer.

Daniel’s taming of the lions may be more impressive than Lionel Messi’s left foot for some, but for others football has far more relevance within our current reality than a two-thousand-year old story. The positioning of those who operate within the philosophical, theological and theoretical (myself obviously included) above those who live in the here and now is an age old social conflict that we as psychologists have an ethical duty to be aware of.

The classist discourse around names so often intersects with the cultural. At a recent dinner party much joviality was had at the expense of Provenance, Patience and Blessing. This is an example, it was decided, of people trying to do Biblical naming but getting it wrong. Noticing cultural difference is helpful and often necessary to being a responsive professional; it is important that we hold in mind the ‘both and’ construct of being the same but different. I often find this tricky, especially with the natural pull to side with my own group. However, this pull is something that we need to, at the very least, notice, and if appropriate to do so, name.

As well as the disbelieving there is also the indignant. At a multi-disciplinary meeting there was a discussion around a David. This eight-year-old David was of middle eastern heritage and the professional in question initially could not fathom that this child could have such an “English name”.  However, the silencing effect of other professionals not concurring prompted some reflexivity in the room. Collectively we had enough knowledge of human geography and history to reflect that the Hebrew origins of David and the significance of this language and culture within many other cultures could excuse this child of his name.  

To some extent names are merely a commentary about social change and we can all be pulled in to this nostalgia from time to time. Cultures are different and noticing variance is not only natural but also sometimes very helpful for supporting young people to feel safe and accepted. However, names and culture are also identity. And by culture I’m not just talking about countries but also social and economic identities. And I apologise to Shakespeare because I disagree. The answer to ‘What’s in a name?’ is "a lot".