Everyone has a name. It is one of the many things that connects all humans. What do people do when they get attached to something? Be it an animal or an inanimate object, they get named when bonds form. Even people who already have a name of their own may receive a nickname from those who love them. 

“Names can be important. Some people put stock in names because they know someone with that name, or it’s a family name, so it becomes important to them,” senior Salem Karr said. 

Naming children is a power bestowed upon parents, and it means different things to different parents. A common idea is to name a child after something one or both parents are passionate about. 

“Both my mom and my dad liked The Beatles, and [they have] an album [called] ‘Abbey Road.’ My mom was in the shower when the name ‘AbbeyRose’ popped into her head while thinking about that album,” junior AbbeyRose Kuhl said. 

Another popular source of names comes from another form of pop culture — TV shows. 

“[My parents] loved the show ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch.’ They went back and forth, originally planning to name me Sabrina, but my dad thought that was too girly, so they went with Salem instead,” Karr said. 

Having an interesting name can have many benefits, such as gaining friendships over the intriguing stories, but there are also downsides for some.

“I wish I didn’t have to sit through jokes or questions like, ‘Oh, like the witch trials?,’ but at this point, I’m used to it. I think the story behind it is kind of funny because I don’t know many people who are named after fictional wizard cats,” Karr said. 

There is an inherent responsibility that comes with naming because of its impact on one’s life.

“Names are important because it is what singles you out from the rest, besides your features and personality. Your name is purely your own and is essentially your identity,” Kuhl said.

This is a sentiment that sophomore Ash Zwirn shares wholeheartedly, having recently named themself.

“[My birth name is] pretty feminine for my taste, but I do really like the story behind it. I have always loved the name Ash, though, [and] just recently I’ve changed my name to that. I can’t count how many times I’ve told people the story of my birth name and gained friends out of it, though a parent should be ready to accept [a] change in their kid’s life and name,” Zwirn said. 

Names are an essential part of the human experience. In some way, names are a sign of caring. Unique name or not, the fact that everyone has names demonstrates that someone cares enough to acknowledge one’s individuality and will henceforth be known as your own person.