Question: Can the name
influence one’s character? I was always sure that the books about the meaning
of names were something of the horoscope’s kind. However, I have recently found
out that priest Pavel Florensky also thought that the name could influence the
identity of a person. Does it mean that the name given to a child may affect his identity and prevail eventually? Can several letters of a name be so
meaningful?
Answer by
Fr. Andrew Lemeshonok: I believe,
Fr. Pavel meant something a bit different. The name itself will not influence a
person, but still there is some connection with the saint in whose honor you
are named. After all, during the Baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and
the Holy Spirit, you establish the connection with your future patron saint.
I think it is wrong to say that a person’s life is
predetermined by his name. Almost all saints showed us, those who bear their
names, the example of living with their spiritual feats and their love towards
Christ. It is not just a combination of letters what has power - it is the
spirit that inspires our names. This is why the spirit should be foremost, not
letters.
Of course, there is nothing accidental in the world.
This is why names should have certain influence, but this influence is not
fatal. You give the name to your son or your grandson, you advise your close
people to give a certain name to their child – you have certain associations,
you put some sense in this name. Some people give their children the names of
their grandparents, and here there is a connection to – they are your close
relatives, after all… I think, all of this has a certain meaning, because there
is nothing chaotic in this world.
Priest Pavel Florensky was a rather sensible person,
who tries to explain and express his own perception of the world in such a way.
This all is quite interesting, but this is not a theorem. Perhaps, we can say
that it is a beautiful theory.
May 16,
2018
St. Elisabeth
Convent
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