What's in a Name?

Shakespeare's Juliet presented this question as she pondered the importance of the Capulet and Montague names.  Would Romeo still be Romeo if he had a different last name?  Last names continue to have significant meaning to some individuals, and relatively little meaning to others.  In American society, we expect females to place little value on their surnames, since they are expected to change them when they marry (and technically become property of their husbands).  I refused to do this during my first marriage.  I was not about to hand over my identity to someone whose last name had been changed when he was a school child and was adopted by a step-father for whom he had little love and respect.  My ex actually was OK with me keeping my name.  The shocking part was the reaction of my sisters' husbands.  They strongly opposed having a wife who kept her maiden name.  So, it is for many that the last name is an important part of the family's history and legacy.

However, I believe that Shakespeare was pointing out more than just the rivalries of families that have lost their relevance.  I believe that he was ultimately questioning the importance of labels in general.  Words are just sounds created by humans to represent items or concepts.  The meaning of these words can only possess that power that a person assigns to it.  Personally, I believe it is absurd that we have a list of words that someone has deemed vulgar and unacceptable.  But how can it be that a word that can be stated by any school child when describing a four legged equine, cannot be uttered by the same child in reference to his derriere.

All of these musings regarding names and words stem from my recent conversation with my 6-year old stepson regarding what he should call me.  I've been around him since before he could even talk, so he naturally calls me "Mom."  His biological mother is not fond of this practice.  If he accidentally refers to me that way to her, she reprimands him.  It was obvious that this issue was putting a strain on our relationship with one another, so I sat with him and explained that he could call me whatever he wants to.  I told him that I know the role I play in his life and I know how I feel about him; therefore, whatever name he wishes to use is ok.  What's in a name?  That which we call a rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet.