The phrase “What’s in a name?” comes from Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet – in Juliet’s monologue in Act 2, Scene 2. Juliet reflects on the conflict between her love for Romeo and the fact that he is from the Montague family, which is feuding with her own family, the Capulets. Juliet adds, “that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Of course it would. Incidentally, my sister changed her name a few years ago – from Pene to Mary – and it took some discipline to say the new one. I used to call her “Pene, Mary, Whatever” to cover all my bases. Which leads to this post. I recently made the monumental decision to change the name of my novel to MUTINY. Why? Because it is stronger and more provocative and, I hope it is more appealing. It is also a name that addresses a pivotal moment in the plot. What’s in a name? Everything!
What’s in a name? Everything. A few years ago a Chinese friend of mine rang to ask if New Zealand baby names had meanings. “Of course,” I said. He next asked, “What name means mistake?”