Evans 1Evans 2Halle EvansL. M. Raymond, MAUWRT 110314 July 2015Writing Prompt #5: Not Just A NameIn cultures around the world, names are symbols of class and religion. Names also have meanings with good and bad connotations. My name for one, Halle, originates from Scandinavia and means heroine. Because of this, I try to be a strong and brave person because I feel that my name is an expectation that I am supposed to live up to. Though typical American names arent given much thought, it is crucial that parents choose their childs name wisely.

In chinese culture, names represent blood ties within certain social structures. People's surnames are given to them at birth and individual names are given to them at a later time. In traditional China, people would reverse their individual name and their surname so the surname was first. This is people everyone believed that the person who had the name was just a small part of the large history of ones family. It was considered, and most likely still is today, dishonorable to a persons family to change their name. In this culture, names define people.

In religions such as Christianity and Judaism, names are seen as a description of ones personality and traits. It is also said that a persons name could be a prayer that the person given a certain name will live up to the potential that comes with it. To label something properly is to define its nature (Krohn). In Judaism, it is believed that ones name and soul have a spiritual connection and that a persons name defines their essence.

Works CitedHistory and Importance of the Chinese Family Name. Chinese Traditions and Culture,2009-2010. .

Krohn, Paysach. Names and Their Significance. Torah.org, 2007. .