The Secret Meaning of Names

A few years ago I was called for Jury Service. Now if that has happened to you, you know how disruptive it can be to your life unless you place another face on it and have a bit of fun. Walking to the court I happened to pass a book shop and in the window was a book that caught my eye "The Secret Meaning of Names" by Ren Lexander PhD. At the top of the book it said "You won't be interested in this book - unless you have a name" - that really had me!

I was sitting quietly in the court waiting area - with 200 other people - and the lady next to me asked "what are you reading". Soon I had 10 ladies wanting to know so we moved to a quieter part of the waiting area and spent a wonderful hour with this book. What was written resonated with everyone.

I use the name "Carol" - my birth name is "Carolyn" - meaning - Carolyn - may be a Leen Name indicating a child will be lent on by the family or vice-versa. Carol is often a Nurture Name indicating a parental desire for a caring daughter - as if it is her role to care for all. Has connections with Christmas, joy and singing.

There is much more in the book - The Theory of Name Decoding, The Practice of Name Decoding, Categories of Names and Name Decodings. Here are some real life examples of surnames and occupations.

D. Vine - A wine producer
JJC Smart - Professor of Philosophy
Ashley Burns - A fireman (Ash-ly Burns)
B. Sinclair - A plumbing inspector (Be sink-clear)
Phil Sparks - An electrician (Feel sparks)
Mr Herdegen - A live-stock advisor (Herd-again)
Neil Gamble - head of the Sydney Harbour Casino
H Head and WR Brain - Neurologists
John Fairfax - The Fairfax (Fair Facts) family started off a newspaper empire
Edmund Hilary - The first conqueror of Mt Everest: Edmund Hilary (Head-man Hill-ry)
L Seymour - L See-more is a cameraman

You will also find a lots of footballers with Athletic Names - Rodney (Rod-knee), Tony (Toe-knee); and stacks of nurses and school teachers with Nurture Names such as Karen (Caring) and Sharon (Sharing).