What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance?
The significance of naming extends beyond mere identification, serving as a vital connector among individuals, objects, and life forms. Names provide clarity and differentiation in a world filled with billions of organisms and people, necessitating multiple names for identification. Middle names often reveal social strata, family heritage, or parental lineage, reflecting cultural values and evolving societal norms. The discussion of naming highlights its importance in understanding individual identity and lineage, showing the intricate relationship between names and personal history across various cultures.
A name is a vital link that connects persons to each other. It is used in referencing an object, living or non-living, equally. It gives an identity to any object. An image of a particular object emerges as its name is taken. The very mention of mango, for example, speaks volumes about the fruit and its taste.
In an earlier piece published on January 22, 2025, the importance and necessity of naming objects, things, plants, animals, and human beings was discussed (please refer to that piece here). After approximately 45 days, the topic has emerged once again. Additionally, in August 2024, a brief article addressing the theme of naming was also published. The topic of naming is often discussed.
As has been discussed in earlier writings, a name is like a tag given to an individual. There are millions of people, vegetation, organisms and physical features on the earth. Describing them and understanding them individually is impossible until a proper tag is given to them. It is like giving them a GI Tag to them so that they can be identified and spotted easily. Naming, especially in human beings, is based on various things. Yet, mostly they are based on the region and the faith the individual or family follows.
It goes without saying that human beings are complex organisms endowed with many special qualities. They think and apply logic and reason before coming to a conclusion. Other animals or groups of animals do not have this ability. The differently able human beings are a boon of Nature made them special because of a purpose. It was probably an endeavour of Nature to have an organism that guide, prod or steer the whole natural system in the way the Supreme creator wanted to. The human race has surpassed the expectations of the Almighty and developed a trait which, when in small quantity, benefits the universe.
The feeling that they are superior to all separates them from other creatures. Leave aside the plant world, which is devoid of senses and speech. Plants were treated as non-living things by human beings. Thanks to the great scientist J.C. Bose who proved that plants were also living beings. The mendacious mindset of human beings is seen in naming organisms and even in their families.
Was it not enough to have a first name? What necessitated the middle name and surname? Before discussing further, let us refresh it a little. Earth is the home of billions of organisms. A careful observation will reveal that, of all, some resemble while some others do not. The organisms were segregated and grouped based on broad similarities and dissimilarities. There are organisms which have roots, stems, leaves and flowers. They are distinct from others in not possessing them. Those who own leaves and roots were grouped as plants while others as animals.
This broad classification did not suffice the purpose, for there are different flora and fauna that exist. They were further categorised in sub-phylum, class and order. There was yet another problem. It was that of minor differences in morphology (External appearance) of the organisms. To differentiate different similar-looking organisms, a system of naming was felt necessary, and thus, naming started.
The modern human race has been named as Homo sapiens. As the name indicates, it is the race that is wise and prudent. Sapient means having knowledge and intellect, hence the name H.sapiens. At the current time, the projected number of human beings on the earth is about 8,231,613,070 (as per Worldometer data). It is impossible to pinpoint a person among the gargantuan number of individuals. It prodded for naming individuals. Naming, nevertheless, has another problem: the problem of repetition or overlapping the names. In such a situation identifying a particular person becomes daunting. There are thousands of namesake people.
It necessitated multiple names and gave rise to the polynomial naming of individuals. In this, an individual has more than two names. The last one is a cognomen or surname, which mostly indicates the caste or sub-caste of the individual, while the first name is his/her original name. The middle name denotes various things, to be discussed in the next paragraphs.
Mostly the middle name denotes the social strata of the individual. In a matriarchal society, it carries the mother’s name, while in a patriarchal society, it holds the father’s name. Nowadays, keeping both parents’ names is in currency. It makes the name long and trailing. The middle name basically denotes the family of the individual. Besides the father’s or mother’s name, it can have the grandfather’s name as well, denoting the illustrious family history.
In some parts of the world “Bin” or “Bint” is suffixed in the name. The word “Bin” or “Bint” stands for “Son of” or “Daughter of” in Arabic. It also indicates the heritage or lineage of the individual by adding the names of their father and grandfather.
The middle name serves various purposes. While it tells about the family, it also differentiates namesake individuals. With the increasing feeling of possessions and pride, the family name started gaining prominence. Yet, it is not commonly seen in the medieval period when the Moghal invaded the land and established their kingdom. The native Rajput kings, though particular about their clan, often did not use middle names denoting their patriarchal names. They used some titles prefixing their names. Rajput warrior king Maharana Pratap Singh Sisodiya used “Rana”, a word that embodied courage and valour. “Maharana” is the most intrepid and valourous of all. Gradually, it became a title, which later solidified into a status symbol. During the current Era, people wear it to show their bright and famous lineage.
The cemented patriarchy in India or elsewhere is probably the cause of using middle names denoting the family by adding their father’s name. The time is changing and now mentioning mother’s name is also gaining ground. Some persons prefer to prefix or suffix their name with their mother’s.
Mothers are the torchbearers of the family legacies. They not only contribute significantly to a family’s growth and prosperity, but they also add their fair share of inculcating values and traditions of family in their siblings. Their role can’t be overlooked or demeaned. They have rights equal to men. Our scriptures repeatedly tell about it. The powerful triad of Goddess Durga, Laxmi and Saraswati are the epitome of valour, wealth and wisdom. The three powers which make a human perfect.
The importance of naming is clear in numbering the various software releases. Android, for instance, named its software releases on desserts like Cupcake, Donut, Eclair et cetera to their various releases.
The name is a significant, convenient and well-established means to give identification to the object. More significant is the titles that are being added to it. It should not be an ornamental thing prepared by artificial things to add extra shine. It must be pure and fit to the quality and legacy, India is known for.
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