Ask the Author: Mavis Himes
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Mavis Himes
My motivation and interest in writing The Power of Names comes from two sources. First of all, as a practicing psychoanalyst, I am very much aware of proper names and how they as a trait of both separateness and individuality (the first name) and of affiliation and belonging (the second name). In my practice, I often inquire about names and ask people to tells about their name. In doing so, I became increasingly aware of the psychological impact of names as a metaphor of identification.
Secondly, on a more personal level, I have always known that my family surname had been abbreviated and modified by my father and his siblings prior to my birth. I found myself increasingly interested in this name change, as well as its impact on my own sense of self.
As I began to consider this topic, I realized that the consequences of the act of naming and nomination follow each of us from birth to death. This became a topic of increasing interest as I expanded the scope of my research to include naming rituals, the history of names and more.
Secondly, on a more personal level, I have always known that my family surname had been abbreviated and modified by my father and his siblings prior to my birth. I found myself increasingly interested in this name change, as well as its impact on my own sense of self.
As I began to consider this topic, I realized that the consequences of the act of naming and nomination follow each of us from birth to death. This became a topic of increasing interest as I expanded the scope of my research to include naming rituals, the history of names and more.
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