1.3: What's in a name?

In this activity students research the meanings of each other's names and look at different naming systems.

Tasks

Introduce the concept of the meaning of names explaining that most names have historical meanings based on:
- a trade or profession
- physical appearance
- place or time of birth
- personality trait or characteristic
- nationality/ethnic origin
- relationship to another person or thing.
Use Handout 3: What's in a name? as a group handout or overhead transparency to stimulate discussion.
Ask students to research the meaning of their own (first or family) name. This research may involve discussion with family members, internet searches or library research. Ask students to also note the significance of their names e.g. Were they named after someone else such as another family member or prominent figure or after a significant day or event?
When completed, collate and discuss the findings with the class comparing the various meanings and their significance. Ask the students to create and decorate artwork using their own name and meaning or a class poster of names and meanings which may be displayed.

Teacher Notes

This activity may be conducted over several sessions.
Different cultures have different naming systems. Students may need to clarify the meaning and/or English translation of their name with family members.
Parents or community members from diverse cultural backgrounds may be invited to talk about the naming systems and the meanings of names in their own culture.
Some names may be unique and as such have no commonly accepted meanings. As a variation to this activity, students may be asked to create their own name meanings.

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