I have been following the reactions to the executive order signed by President Trump that renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Some have laughed, some have proudly posted new maps, but many have said “Wait, he did what? Can he do that?” As I understand it, this order means that in all official documents, correspondence, and publications of the United States government, the gulf formerly known as Mexico will now go by Golfo de América.
My first two reactions were somewhat snarky and went something like this:
- For those of you fretting over the Gulf of Mexico being renamed the Gulf of America, rest assured the United States has a long history of purchasing, claiming, and taking land and renaming said land. This is not our first rodeo. Relax, we got this.
- I don’t know exactly what all it means changing the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, but I can tell you that I don’t ever recall ten inches of snow falling on the gulf after any other executive orders.
However, as I thought more and more about the name change, I started to think about how significant a name change or controlling the name of something can actually be. I realize a lot of people are writing the whole thing off as a little kooky or the eccentric actions of an 78 year old man and relatively insignificant, but there is actually notable power in naming things and controlling the language around things.
The act of naming carries profound meaning. Names do more than identify; they define, transform, and can even wield power over the named. Over the next few paragraphs I will try to touch on the power of naming, from its roots in mythology and magic, its psychological implications, its linguistic influence, its political ramifications, and its enduring influence in shaping our personal identities and the world around us.
Names in Folklore and Myth: The Secret to Power
The belief that knowing or bestowing a name grants power is a recurring theme in folklore and mythology. Consider the tale of Rumpelstiltskin: the imp’s power hinges on his name remaining a secret. Once revealed, he loses his hold over the queen and her child.
Similarly, in Egyptian mythology, the goddess Isis gains control over the sun god Ra by learning his secret name. Across cultures, names have been viewed as keys to the essence or soul of a person or entity, and to name something is to claim a degree of mastery over it.
In Norse mythology, Odin—the all-father god—is obsessed with gaining knowledge, including the secret names of things. This pursuit of names often grants him power and wisdom beyond others. In many Native American traditions, the act of naming is deeply sacred. A person’s “true name” may be kept secret to protect their spirit from harm.
This theme underscores a universal truth: names create boundaries and impose meaning. To name a thing is to define it, to limit its infinite possibilities into something comprehensible and, therefore, controllable.
Magic and Rituals: The Mystical Significance of Names
In many spiritual and magical traditions, names are considered to carry intrinsic power. Rituals often invoke specific names to call upon divine entities or harness supernatural forces. The concept of a “true name” appears in various traditions, from Kabbalistic teachings to fantasy literature like Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series. Knowing someone’s true name is akin to holding their essence in your hands.
The ancient Sumerians believed that to know the name of a demon or spirit granted the power to banish or command it. In African spiritual traditions, names are often tied to the individual’s destiny, and naming ceremonies are pivotal rituals for welcoming children into the community. In European witchcraft traditions, spells often involve invoking the specific names of spirits or deities to ensure their efficacy.
Even in modern settings, rituals around naming carry symbolic weight. Naming ceremonies, whether for children, ships, or even stars (celestial ones or Hollywood ones), are imbued with reverence, as if the act itself imparts a unique identity and destiny.
The Psychological Impact of Naming
Psychologists have long noted the human need to categorize and name the world. Naming gives shape to chaos and creates a sense of control where we may actually have none. When we name an emotion, such as anxiety or anger, it often diminishes its hold over us—a process psychologists call “labeling.” Naming is a foundational element of self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
Moreover, naming things—whether a child, a pet, or even a project—imbues them with personal significance. It marks a shift from abstract to tangible, from the distant to the familiar. This act of naming connects us to the named, creating a sense of relatedness and responsibility.
Linguistic Power: Framing Perception
Language shapes reality. A name isn’t just a label; it’s a frame through which we interpret the world. Linguist Benjamin Lee Whorf famously argued that the structure of language influences thought—a principle that applies equally to names. For instance, the names given to natural disasters, like Hurricane Katrina, transform them from abstract meteorological phenomena into something tangible, memorable, and emotionally charged.
In social contexts, naming practices can reflect power dynamics. Colonial histories reveal how the act of renaming places or peoples served as a tool of conquest. Conversely, reclaiming traditional names is often a powerful act of resistance and cultural pride.
The Political Aspect of Naming as Control
Naming is not just a linguistic or cultural act; it can also be deeply political. Throughout history, those in power have used naming as a tool to assert control and impose narratives. The renaming of cities, countries, and geographical landmarks by colonial powers is a stark example. By erasing indigenous names, colonizers sought to overwrite existing histories and assert dominance over the land and its people.
Political naming extends beyond geography. Terms used to describe movements, policies, or groups can frame public perception and sway opinion. For example, naming a policy “The Patriot Act” influences how it is received, making dissent seem unpatriotic. Similarly, whether one labels a group as “insurrectionists” or “peaceful protesters” often depends on the perspective of the namer, highlighting the power of names to shape narratives and control dialogue.
Resistance to imposed names is equally political. Reclaiming traditional or indigenous names can be an act of defiance and empowerment. Movements and petitions to rename streets, schools, and monuments reflect a broader struggle for justice, recognition, and the restoration of erased histories. In this way, naming becomes a battleground for identity and power.
Naming and Personal Identity
Our names are among the first gifts we receive, and they can shape how the world perceives us and how we view ourselves. A name can feel like a blessing, a burden, a curse, or a puzzle. Changing a name—whether through marriage, cultural shifts, or personal choice—often reflects a deeper transformation in identity. Transgender individuals, for instance, frequently describe the act of choosing a new name as an empowering step towards who they see as their authentic self.
Similarly, nicknames and terms of endearment can foster intimacy, creating a private world between people. On the other hand, name calling, misnaming or deliberate refusal to use someone’s chosen name can be a profound act of disrespect, highlighting the deep emotional ties between names and identity.
Naming as an Act of Creation
Ultimately, naming or renaming is a creative act. It’s the moment when potential becomes reality, when the formless takes shape. In Genesis, God’s first act is to speak the world into existence, naming light and darkness, day and night. To name something is to acknowledge its existence and give it a place in the order of things.
For individuals, naming can be an act of self-definition. In a world where external forces often seek to name us—whether through labels, stereotypes, or roles—the ability to choose or redefine our names can be a profound assertion of our agency.
Conclusion
The power of naming can transcend time and culture. It is rooted in our deepest human instincts and spiritual practices. To name is to know, to define, to control, and to create. It is a gift and a responsibility, an act imbued with both magic and meaning. Whether we are naming a storm, a feeling, or ourselves, we are shaping the world and our place within it. So let us all hope that those changing names choose names wisely, for they hold the power to transform not just the named, but the namer as well.
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