In a ratio of 1:10, you have been asked this question that most times looks and sounds very simple. We are asked this question on a daily bases, in our workplace, even as we drive around, at the emigration centres while we try to secure safe passage into another country. In all honesty, when we are asked this question, we respond to it with less interest which most times make it impossible for us to truly reflect on the answer we have given. This is a question that pops to mind whenever you wake up in the middle of the night to hear a noise down the hallway in your house. We are always answering this question without taking a minute to understand why or how our answer came to be. For clarity sake, I will ask you the question just for you to understand what I am talking about. What is your name?
Does the question sound so strange to you? I understand that we grew up to find out that we were bearing one name or the other even though we are at liberty to seek for a change of name, but have you ever thought of the mystery or the reason you were giving your name by your parents or guardian. In Africa, giving of a name is something that goes with some sort of spiritual and religious inclination; this is why Africans do not just give any name to their children because they believe that you are what you are called. Even in the Igbo ethnic group of Nigeria, names are giving according to how or circumstances surrounding the birth of a child. If the parents sort for the child for a very long time, they will give the child names like Ogechi (Gods time), Ihechimere (what the Lord has done) etc and if the parents did not waste time before giving birth you will hear names like, Onyinyechi (gift of God), Oluomachi (the goodness of God) etc.
If you take a closer look at the above names, you will understand that these names were not borne out of parental likeness but rather at of situations surrounding the birth of the child. In the western world, name giving is also considered as an important aspect of a child’s birth which is why they name giving to a child is collectively thought about between the immediate family and the extended family at large. The child can be given the name of his grandfather or mother, his father/ mother or even the name of an extended member of the family. The name can also come from outsiders who were seen and known to be of good character in the society. This is a to make us understand that the name we are giving has a great impact to play in our life as humans therefore we must not see it as a mere name.
When was the last you answered the question; who are you and what is your name? You can answer the question every day of your life but if you have never taken your time to think of what and who you are as regards to the name you bear then you are possible not living aright. You must make a conscious effort to understand the reason why you bear the name you have because that is the only time you can begin to understand your purpose as a person in life. It is not a fairy tale that one's name is stronger than his/her wealth, this is why you see a lot of people doing everything possible to protect and uphold their names at all cost.
When we pass on to the afterlife, it is only our names that will live even longer than us if we were able to make our names strong not by living a life filled with chaos but by living life to affect others positively in all that we do. Even in law, when someone commits slander, it is seen and treated as a serious offence because it concerns the name of a person and his integrity. A wise man will give anything to maintain his integrity, but a foolish man will act indifferently even in things that will dent his image and name. The things we do or say have a way of getting back to us even while we are long gone from the surface of the earth. Have you ever wondered why it will be easy for a former president, senator, governor or even a chancellor who did not soil his name all because of playing politics to gain entry into any country of his choice?
You should not use your hand to kill your name even while you are still alive. Remember, you are what you answer and the name you bear goes farther than you. Kings and nations will always seek to see you if you maintain your integrity in all that you do. If you are faced with making a choice between your integrity and wealth, which would you choose? This is a question you should try to answer in all sincerity because your name is like a bottle which if broken cannot be repaired again. The Igbo ethnic group of Nigeria has an adage that says; ezi aha ka ego (good name is better than money). Never lose yourself worth because of material gains which can vanish when you are long gone.
Don’t live a life answering this great question without trying to think about yourself and what your name means to you at all times. Whether you are from Africa, Asia or even Europe, your name is a priority which must be guided with everything we have because all we are and all we have depends on how well we can uphold our name. I ask you, what is your name?
