What's in a name?

Names seem to have a great deal of significance in our lives. Particularly when given the responsibility and the honour of giving a name to a new individual, the consequences and importance of a name become apparent... but what is in a name?

When mankind was created, according to the Holy Qur'an 2:31 God did something, "and He taught Adam the names - all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, "inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful.""

The angels then reply to the Creator in 2:32, "They said, "Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You haev taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise.""

Finally, God goes on to say in 2:33, ""O Adam, inform them of their names." And when he had informed them of their names, He said, "Did I not tell you that I know the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth? And I know what you reveal and what you have concealed.""

Names are how we identify ourselves, but that identity is an important aspect. Our sense of self is a very poignant gift of the Creator, one that He didn't even give to the angels. I would argue that although another entity or organism may be self-aware, it cannot hold a true identity without the ability to name itself.

What's in a name? Everything - our thoughts, our persona, our beliefs, our ideals. All of these are found within our names. Not in the actual name or in the meaning of the word or words by which others call us, but by the esoteric process of naming. I have many names, I can be called by many different terms and I respond to many terms of endearment as well as dislike, however I exist through having been named.

I think therefore I am, but I only think because there is an I.