Names are a profound way to give a child connection to a parent’s heritage, culture or religious affiliation for a lifetime. It is also an important part of preserving ones, identity.
When 52-year-old Wesley Munro Johnston was a boy, children of his age often used to tease him, because his name sounded old-fashioned. His first name, Wesley came from his uncle who was named after the great clergyman, John Wesley. Wesley’s middle name, Munro, is his Mother’s maiden name.
“My ancestors were from Scotland,” he said. Inheriting first names is common in Scottish families, Johnston says. “(However) I feel a loss that our traditional family connection to our ancestors is so weakened.”
Johnston’s son’s name is Wesley Munro Johnston Jr. His three grandsons have first and or middle names that are also common to his family tree. William, Munro, David and Andrew. Another grandson is Wesley Munro Johnston III. Johnston did not select the names. His children did.
“Perhaps because they too are proud of their heritage and want that ethereal connection,” Johnston says, while pointing to family pictures hanging on the wall.
“Why would anyone name their child in honour of a movie star whose career is fleeting and ignore their noble past?” Johnston asks.
Names are a profound way to give a child connection to a parent’s heritage, culture or religious affiliation for a lifetime. It is also an important part of preserving ones, identity and connection to the past. However, migration and exposure to other life styles influence a person’s identity.
Patricia Main, a genealogist whose husband is from Scotland, commented about the possible effects a name could have on child’s identity. Her concerns were regarding her own children’s identity.
“As someone from a family without that tradition, I found it strange that there was such a names pattern and was not comfortable in naming my kids that way,” Main said.
She said she was uncomfortable naming her son ‘Athol,’ name recommended by her husband. She feared that later on her son might feel ‘stuck’ with an old fashion name and that his friends might ridicule him.
Toronto has a rich mosaic of people from all over the world. Johnston believes that should help families choose ancestral names to preserve identity in their children.
“I feel very strongly about remembering who we are, who brought us this far and how much honour and gratitude,” he said. “We should display about our ancestors. The least we can do is keep most of the first names.”
Sometimes young people make the identity statement themselves.
Odion Osbgyefo, 23, changed his name from Steven to Odion. He wanted to make connection with his African roots. He said he never felt comfortable with his previous given name.
“I had to change my name in order to be accurate with the history of my people; it was very liberating thing,” Osbgyefo said. “To be honest I never felt complete with my previous name.”
Osbgyefo does not feel a need to change his name legally. He said his identity is defined better with his African name.
“Odion means first born of twins and Osbgyefo means saviour of the people,” Osbgyefo said. “I have not been ridiculed, but people always ask why I changed my name.”
According to Main, ideas for children names likely came from the Royal Families. To them these people were leaders or heroes.
“I would think that those who live in a traditional environment would feel proud to be named after one’s grandparent, regardless of how old-fashioned the name may seem,” Johnston said.
