Garden of Eden | Veering Away from Adam and Eve

by GainVille Learning Center

Ever wondered how the names we choose for our sons and daughters directly affect, mold and shape them as they grow up? Let us for a moment, consider the implications of this, as like it or not, we often consciously or unconsciously live up to the names our parents have chosen for us. No?

It is often an inspirational name that is a starting point. What we choose to call our DNA directly reflects not only the deity we believe in but often is meant as a tribute to a grandfather or grandmother figure that we imbue on the child hoping that the characteristics of that family genome live on way after that ideal is attained.

Running a language school here at GainVille, of course, gives us a unique glimpse at what denizens of names are out there. The baby names that are most popular one year, in one particular culture (or country), are very unique and distinctive to one mind-share.

You can only imagine our amusement at how interesting it can be to observe mixed marriages at GainVille Learning Center and what names those parents have chosen for their kids. The cultural aspiration of parents often dictates the drive in how far they aspire their child to go. So if they called one girl Aphrodite, or Paris, let's just say, she would most likely be incensed to live up to that name as she grows up and matures. That kind of namesake ideal sensibility often turns out to be a personal beacon for a whimsical goddess of our own aspirational dreams.

In keeping it light, we will take a moment to give you an idea of what kind of names comprise the student attendees of a typical language class held at GainVille in downtown Rutherford, New Jersey. We come across anything from Italian-American names like Alessandra, Violet, Giulia, Emma, Giuseppe, Francesca, Mateo, Gracie... etc. to Latino names like Eduardo, Gustavo, Daniel, Gabriela, Sebastian, Nicholas, Eva, and Javier in a typical Spanish class. These children often grow up to be most interestingly influenced by the names their parents have imbued upon them at initial concept. That birth certificate is ultimately another way of signaling what cards they have been dealt. These names will shape our and their lives in more ways than we can imagine.

A Gustavo or a Daniel would yield a particular Gustavo or a Daniel depending on a delicate mix of whether the case may be one of an only child, or how nature versus nature applies . However cards we have been dealt, in terms of language and culture, ultimately will affect the outcome future. This person's life will result in a "child of the world" whose priorities and penalties are weaved in deep with the name they elect to go by. Decidedly, a namesake "Stan" will definitely grow fond of, having consciously chosen a shorthand acronym to go by, and thus, will grow decidedly different than if he had gone by "Stanley" from the get-go!

It is interesting to note that biblical or Judaeo-Christian names will noticeably not likely to become an Elon Musk type with attuned eccentricities of the Silicon Valley variety. Similarly, we often underestimate how refreshing the African-American perspective is in how bold their name choices can be for their children. Names such as Jaeden, Shareese, Lukas or Roman are often inspired by analogies that are not derived or inspired by saints or Magdalenas necessarily. These names are constructs of another source of inspiration that can be almost make-believe and alter-ego in choice.

In this atmosphere of language by osmosis, we relish the diversity in the name choices parents bring to the table. We imprint the language and the ambition on what that child can potentially grow to be. It is a celebration of voice and heritage. It is a scream for richness in diversity. We continue to remain inspired by you and your children.

We wish you all the best of worlds this summer as you prevail in your travels and expand yours and your children's horizons