Twyla Tharp, author of a splendid book called ‘Creative Habit’, attributes part of her unique style of creativity to her parents. She claims that when her parents decided a unique name for her, they fortold to the world of arrival of a unique person. She says that she tried to live upto her name.

I believe her. I’ve gotten two best examples from my own family.

My mom, named after the great Indian warrior – Johnsi – possesses an amazing fighting spirit. Despite all the negative turn of events in her life, she survived by displaying a calm fighting spirit. She would never go for a verbal or other fights; but she has displayed an undefeatable spirit at every challenging predicaments in her life.

Second example is my own. Not sure if my parents knew of the significance of the name Joseph. As per Bible, Joseph was separated from his family at an young age; suffered lonliness & blamed for no fault of his; but eventually acquitted and stood before kings. I didn’t undergo a prison term as his, but equally horrifying & humiliating was the time between 1999 – 2003. Did I stand in front of kings? Well if I could interpret little differently, I’ve stood in front of chief executives, ministers and other powerful persons. I’m still not at a pinnacle as that of Biblical Joseph, but am sure I’ll.

But recently I read ‘Freaknomics’, where the author claims that such naming excercises don’t have a bearing on the future of the child.

Ignoring the scientific study of the economist, I believe that we should name the child appropriately.

In my short stint at Hexaware, I met a girl whose last name was rather interesting and unique. When I enquired further she said that the name was a derivative of her mom’s as well as dad’s names. Though its against the practice of well established social rules, I believe its only fair to include mother’s name in child’s name. After all, she bears all the pain. What right does a man have to force his legacy to continue by naming the child after him alone? So I decided, long back, that child’s name will proudly declare his mother’s name. (by now I have come to believe its a boy).

Rani has said that since ours is a JJ family (all our names start with J), child’s name should start with J too.

With all this in mind, I’ve arrived at few names. Once the baby is safely out, I’ll discuss with Rani & finalize one.

In any case, two things are sure: the name will have a meaning to us (of the path we’ve come & of the path we anticipate) & secondly it will carry mother’s name.