THE CONNECTION SERIES: THE POWER OF NAMES
Names hold an unspoken power in our connections, identity and emotions. For something that often simply is a single word, they have the power to determine who we are and how others perceive us. This article explores how we can use the power of names to improve our connections with others.
THE CONNECTION SERIESQUALITY OF LIFEPHILOSOPHYPSYCHOLOGY
Written by Anthony Truong
10/5/20252 min read
Your name is your identity marker in the world. It is you, and symbolises who you are in this world. It is what others know of you and refer to you as.
Without a name, your identity dissolves into the collective enigma. An entity that others simply consider strangers that they have interactions with but not connections.
The cashier, the cleaner, the security guard and the waitress/waiter are simply a few examples of people that we interact with that have been reduced to the collective name of their profession/role in our mind. No connection or emotions. No unique/personal identity. No memory of them.
To us those that lack names are things that our mind has subconsciously deemed as non-essential. We may interact with these people, but in the end they simply dissolve into the void of nothingness of our mind.
Names and the bestowing of a name, not only protect these people from the subsconscious void of nothingness in our mind. Names show respect and importance, provides an identity to the person, and is our way of acknowledging the existent and value of ourselves and others.
Whether that is use of someone else's name, the bestowment of a nickname, someone else's use of our own name and/or the provision of a name to an inanimate or figurative object/person. Names are extremely empowering and meaningful.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
We know the power of names, but do we use the power of names enough?
When we go to school, work, extra-curricular activities, social gatherings and/or sporting events/experiences, do we put in the effort to learn the names of people that we will regularly interact with/see, and the people of importance.
The simple act of putting in the effort to learn people's names and to use them consistently demonstrates respect, importance, acknowledgement and connection. It is the bridge to new and deeper connections, because how can you say you have a close connection with someone who you didn't even put in the effort to learn their name?
Learning people's names helps our brain consolidate and remember features, moments/interactions and key characteristics of said people. People also respond more favorably and warmly to people who know and use their name consistently.
Put in the effort to learn and use the power of names and you will find connections and opportunities with others and life will come easier.
USE THE POWER OF NAMES
"A person's name is to him or her, the sweetest and most important sound in any language"
- Dale Carnegie
