Names carry remarkable depth – they’re vessels of identity, history, and meaning that shape how we see ourselves and how others perceive us. At the most basic level, names serve as identifiers, distinguishing one person from another. But they’re so much more than labels. Your name often carries your family’s heritage, cultural traditions, and sometimes the hopes your parents had for you. Many names have etymological roots that reveal ancient meanings – David means “beloved,” Sarah means “princess,” Alexander means “defender of men.”
Richard is a Germanic name meaning “brave ruler” or “powerful leader.” It comes from the Old High German elements “ric” (meaning “ruler” or “power”) and “hard” (meaning “brave” or “hardy”). The name has deep historical roots and became popular throughout medieval Europe, especially after several notable kings bore the name. Richard the Lionheart, who led the Third Crusade, is probably the most famous historical Richard, cementing the name’s association with leadership and courage. The name fits well with its meaning’s emphasis on strength and authority – many Richards throughout history have indeed been leaders in various fields, from politics to business to the arts. Whether that’s coincidence or the subtle influence of carrying a name that means “brave ruler” is an interesting question that psychologists sometimes debate. It’s a name that has maintained its dignity and gravitas across centuries while remaining accessible and familiar.
Kimberly comes from an English place name meaning “from the wood of the royal fortress” or “from Cyneburg’s meadow.” It’s derived from Old English elements -“cyne” (royal) and “burh” (fortress), combined with “leah” (wood or meadow). Originally, Kimberly was primarily a surname and a masculine given name, but it became predominantly feminine during the 20th century. The shift happened largely in the United States, where it gained popularity as a girl’s name starting in the 1940s and really took off in the 1960s-80s. The name has a distinctly American feel to it now, though it originated from English geography. It’s often shortened to Kim, giving it both formal and casual options. Kimberly carries connotations of nature and nobility through its meaning – the combination of woodland imagery with royal elements creates an interesting blend of earthiness and elegance. It was part of a trend toward longer, more elaborate names for girls that became popular in mid-to-late 20th century America.
Names can influence first impressions and even life outcomes. Research suggests people make assumptions about someone’s background, age, and personality based on their name alone. They can be sources of pride when they connect us to admired ancestors, or burdens when they’re difficult to pronounce or carry unwanted associations. My last name got changed from Prosdocimi to Marin when I was eight, for obvious reasons. Kim carried the last name Grogg throughout her life and still uses it professionally, as it is certainly more memorable than most names.
There’s also the profound personal relationship we have with our names. Some people feel their name fits them perfectly, while others never quite connect with it. The rise of chosen names, nicknames, and name changes reflects how names are part of our ongoing process of self-definition. Names are living things too – they evolve, get shortened, acquire new pronunciations, and take on layers of meaning through the experiences of the people who bear them. In many ways, we don’t just carry our names; we shape them as much as they shape us.
This morning I see that Hulk Hogan has died. Hulk Hogan was one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling history. Born Terry Gene Bollea in 1953, he became the face of wrestling during its massive mainstream breakthrough in the 1980s. Clearly, his chosen name of Hulk was a professional choice. I presume Hogan was a lyrical addition. Hogan’s larger-than-life persona – the blonde mustache, bandana, and “Whatcha gonna do, brother?” catchphrase – made him a cultural phenomenon beyond just wrestling. He was the central figure in WWE’s (then WWF) national expansion, headlining the first nine WrestleManias and becoming the sport’s biggest draw. His character embodied American heroism and patriotism, which resonated powerfully with the Right Eing starting during the Reagan era. Hogan also crossed over into Hollywood with movies like “Rocky III” and the TV show “Thunder in Paradise,” though his acting received mixed reviews. His influence on professional wrestling and 1980s pop culture is undeniable, though his legacy has been complicated by various controversies in recent years, not the least of which has been his political affiliations.
Yesterday the news of Ozzy Osbourne’s death was also reported. Ozzy Osbourne was the legendary heavy metal vocalist known as the “Prince of Darkness.” Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England in 1948, he first rose to fame as the lead singer of Black Sabbath, one of the pioneering bands of heavy metal music in the early 1970s. With Black Sabbath, Ozzy helped create the dark, heavy sound that would define metal music. The band’s ominous themes around war, religion, and the occult established many of the tropes that metal bands still use today. Ozzy became almost as famous for his wild antics as his music – biting the head off a bat during a concert, various arrests, and general mayhem that earned him his dark prince persona. Despite struggles with addiction and health issues, he’s maintained a decades-long career, including as a reality TV star with “The Osbournes,” Ozzy Osbourne has generally kept his political views relatively private, but Ozzy has regularly made some statements supporting liberal causes over the years and has been critical of certain conservative politicians. He’s expressed support for gun control measures and has been vocal about environmental issues.
Today, The Times pondered why Trump insists on renaming everything from topographical elements (Denali/Mt. McKinley, Gulf of Mexico/America, Persian Gulf / Gulf of Arabia), to sports teams (Washington Commanders/Redskins, Cleveland Guardians/Indians) and even Veterans and V-E Day to Victory Day for WWI and WWII respectively. This nonsense is both used as a distraction to things like the Epstein hub-bub and to reinforce the historical revisionism and reversionism that his far-right base seems to like as symbolism for a return to the “real America” where white men stomped around doing whatever they damn well pleased.
Now, Trump House Republican minions are pushing to rename the Kennedy Center’s Opera House as the “First Lady Melania Trump Opera House”. This would rename the second-largest theater in the Kennedy Center, which seats 2,364 patrons and may be the center’s most prominent space. This proposal comes after President Trump appointed himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center and fired multiple board members in February.
So, what’s in a name? Less and less it seems….