"What's in a name? That which we call a rose / by any other name would smell as sweet."
These words, written by William Shakespeare, are words which Juliet speaks in Act II, Scene ii, of Romeo and Juliet. In the case of Romeo and Juliet, their last names were a curse to them because of the long-standing feud between their families.
However, a name is supposed to be a blessing, since "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches"—Proverbs 22: 1 (NKJV) and "A good name is better than precious ointment"—Ecclesiastes 7: 1 (KJV). The Hebrew word for "good name" means, according to Strong's Concordance, "through the idea of definite and conspicuous position, an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality," and, by implication, "honor, authority, character."
Most of us know that John Wayne's birth name was Marion Robert Morrison, later changed to Marion Mitchell Morrison (or Marion Michael Morrison), depending upon whose report you believe. At any rate, when cast in Fox's The Big Trail (1930), the studio decided that he needed a different name—hence, the change to John Wayne. Most of us also know that Samuel Langhorne Clemens is better known as Mark Twain.
What does this have to do with a "good name"? In both those cases, an easy, recognizable name was deemed better than a family name, however majestic it might sound. And, after all, "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
But what happens when you don't know what name sounds best? I've published as Victoria Carroll, V.D. Carroll, Victoria Dorshorn, Victoria Dianne Carroll, Vicki Dorshorn, Victoria Collins, and probably others.
I've used my maiden name to honor my parents; I've used first and middle initials to keep my identity separate for different genres. After all, who would read a Vietnam War story written by a "Victoria"? However, for poetry, "Victoria" sounds so . . . poetic. My close family, church friends, and some colleagues know me as Vicki; students and many colleagues at the university level know me as Victoria.
Years ago when I worked two accounting jobs, I was "Vicki" at the CPA firm and "Victoria" at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. Split personality? MPD? Or just a case of trying to compartmentalize my identity?
Maybe I'm still figuring out who I am. It would be so much easier to just have one name on my business card and introduce myself only by that name—to everyone, everywhere. Perhaps I should post a survey and have my contacts and followers vote on what name I should settle on as my "name." Any comments?
But names aside, I'm glad I know who I am spiritually. I'm born again in Christ, a child of God, a servant of righteousness, a Spirit-filled Christian, a friend of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach. And it is His name that is really important. After all, there is salvation in no other name, "for there is no other name under heaven given among people, whereby we must be saved"—Acts 4: 12.
Three M's of Christmas
12/25/2020 7:25:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Silenced and Silent
8/4/2020 5:18:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
The Right Way
7/13/2020 2:40:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
"Let Freedom Ring"
7/3/2020 2:38:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Caring and Sharing
6/20/2020 5:50:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
One Race -- Two Creations
6/10/2020 9:02:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
An End to Racism
6/2/2020 9:02:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
With One Voice
5/24/2020 3:38:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Trust in God
5/17/2020 3:21:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
A Firm Foundation
5/9/2020 6:35:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
No Fear!
5/2/2020 3:35:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Author of Peace, Not Confusion
4/28/2020 2:44:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Too Timid to Tell
4/24/2020 8:52:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Resurrection Promise
4/11/2020 3:54:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
God's Mercies
4/2/2020 11:04:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Yet I Will Rejoice
3/18/2020 11:22:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Slow Suicide—Part 2
3/5/2020 6:00:00 AM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Slow Suicide—Part 1
3/2/2020 6:00:00 AM by: Vicki Dorshorn
V-I-C-T-O-R-Y
2/6/2020 6:14:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
A Stable and an Empty Tomb
12/24/2019 6:01:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Do Definitions Matter?
12/17/2019 3:08:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Darkness Creeping In
11/26/2019 10:17:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
The Presence and Purpose of Pain and Sorrow
8/31/2019 9:27:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Salt and Light
8/21/2019 8:15:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Real Rainbows and True Light
8/17/2019 3:17:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
The Light of Life
8/7/2019 9:20:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
A Giant Eraser
4/23/2018 3:09:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
He Is Risen
3/30/2018 2:57:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Rejection
7/22/2015 by: Vicki Dorshorn
Liberty Bell & more
7/4/2015 3:32:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Breaking News
6/22/2015 11:26:00 AM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Cracked Foundations
6/12/2015 1:50:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Power Transformers
6/5/2015 12:27:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Transformers
5/28/2015 by: Vicki Dorshorn
What is my name?
5/20/2015 by: Vicki Dorshorn
What age is Jesus for you?
12/21/2014 8:41:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Part 2 - Stories of Sovereignty from England
11/21/2014 by: Vicki Dorshorn
Stories of Sovereignty from England
11/15/2014 7:28:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Coincidence or Sovereignty?
11/3/2014 by: Vicki Dorshorn
Time to Care
8/24/2014 10:59:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
"Lion on the Loose"
8/16/2014 5:29:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Lessons from My Garden - Part 6
8/10/2014 by: Vicki Dorshorn
Lessons from My Garden - Part 5
8/3/2014 by: Vicki Dorshorn
Lessons from My Garden - Part 4
7/27/2014 by: Vicki Dorshorn
Lessons from My Garden - Part 3
7/20/2014 3:33:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
"Lessons from My Garden -- Part 2"
7/12/2014 8:54:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Lessons From My Garden - Part 1
7/7/2014 7:23:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Dreams, Revisions, and Renewal
6/29/2014 10:30:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
A Dream that is Reality
6/21/2014 9:13:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
The Return of the Swallows
6/14/2014 by: Vicki Dorshorn
Part 2 - Where will I go when I die?
6/7/2014 2:30:40 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Where will I go when I die?
5/31/2014 9:05:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Truth or Deception
5/24/2014 5:34:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Deliverance from Falling
5/16/2014 2:30:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Deliverance from Tears
5/10/2014 8:03:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Deliverance from Death
5/3/2014 by: Vicki Dorshorn
The Significance of Death
4/27/2014 5:45:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Conclusion of Why Bad Things Happen
4/19/2014 8:35:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Good and Bad, Relatively Speaking
4/12/2014 1:18:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
The Potter and the Clay
4/5/2014 9:10:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
"Bad Things" - Part 5
3/29/2014 1:47:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
"Bad Things" - Part 4
3/21/2014 12:52:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
"Bad Things" - Part 3
3/15/2014 12:18:00 AM by: Vicki Dorshorn
"Bad Things" - Part 2
3/8/2014 1:56:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
"Bad Things" - Part I
3/1/2014 7:14:00 PM by: Vicki Dorshorn
Who are "good" people?
2/26/2014 by: Vicki Dorshorn
Why do bad things happen to good people?
2/22/2014 by: Vicki Dorshorn
