Should you know the meaning of your name?

Question

Should you know the meaning of your name?

Answer 1

The meaning of a name ? When I think about the use of it I can only think of shoes. My names are my shoes .

Answer 2

It is not important.  To those who think that the meaning of your surname will tell you anything about your family history, that is ignorant.  As have been said on this forum MANY times before, there are a lot of reasons why people end up with the name they have and their real family history has nothing to do with the origins of the name itself.  In my genealogy research, name origins is not even a factor I consider or waste any time on.  It won't tell me anything about MY family.  It will only tell me about someone way back when who first had the name; a person to whom I am likely not even related to or descended from.  So what is the point of knowing how he got his name?  It has nothing to do with how I got the same name.

Answer 3

It is up to you; some people don't want to know the meaning of their names.  I know, and have known since childhood, the meaning of all 3 of my names; I don't feel "enlightened", but I am bemused.

Answer 4

sure! Its part of your identity. I think its insightful to know who your peoples were. And It explains alot about why they were the way they were.

Answer 5

You don't have to, although if you have a very unusual name (like I do, it's bloody unheard of where I live!), people tend to ask "What language is it from, and what does it mean?".

So it's good to know.

Answer 6

For genealogy, it really isn't all that important at all. However, to some people they like to know things like that.

Answer 7

it really good to know the meaning.you will be kept motivated to uphold the goodness of the name.i believe no man would want to hav an illfitting name .....LOL!!!!

Answer 8

i dont think its that important but its kl to know its also Reilly easy to find out there are lots of baby name wed sites and all u do is type in Ur name and it comes up with the meaning were is from when it was popular and all that but i dont think you should no the meaning of Ur name i bet most poeple dont

Answer 9

Why not? It's interesting to know your family origins, though if you don't care, that's fine too!