By Amoto Ndiewo
So the saying what is in a name? My Macmillan English dictionary says a name is a word or words which a person, place or thing is usually known by.
Then one begins to wonder this story of my names are or kwa majina naitwa Florence Musomba, My names are Florence Karambu Musomba, this would simply sound as if it is two or more identities. Sure a person’s identity is not limited to their first name.
Name is a collective noun and it considered as a verb too. First and last names are considered a collective noun and so to speak collective nouns are names or number of people or things. Words like group, herd or array are collective noun examples. They are words for single things that are made up of more than one person, animal, place, thing or idea. Really you cannot have a team without individuals, members, but even so we describe them as single entity.
The jury looked at their watches. In this respect name is a word or words that a particular person, animal, place or thing is known by. What is your surname, and what is your first name is the name you are given when born or last name or family name, in other words the principal name. Madam will you change your surname if you get married.
‘’Will cross the river when we reach the bridge,” she replied.
What is your name my name is so and so even if they are ten. What is the name of your motherland? The name of my motherland is the Democratic Republic of Somalia.
Please write your full name and address. And she made her name as a write musician painter etc. and you know what the school has a good name for academics .discipline, and languages. However those chaps and the prison made him have a bad name as a swindler and conman.
And, some of the biggest names in the film industry appeared at the party, this simply means that more than one actor /actress appeared at the party. Yeah those in the acting industry use stage names and criminals use several aliases to hide real identity.
And this chap works for a big name company and the company is a household name this actually means the company is famous and could as well be selling brand name goods.
He spoke but didn’t name names this really means it didn’t give the names of people involved in something, especially wrong or illegal.
Oh! Really what is in a name well the name of the game is to give the most important aspect part of the activity? Sure hard work is the name of the game if you want to succeed in business. And besides hard work the being the name of the game in Kenya the name of the game is to know the right people to pull the right strings.
And when it comes to name dropping (noun) this simply is disapproval the act of mentioning the names of people one knows or have met in order to impress, or influence other people. But name drop is a verb.
And nameless and faceless simply kept secret if not anonymous it could be a nameless source in the government –a leak. Or a well-known public figure who shall remain nameless. And it could be difficult or too unpleasant to describe: nameless horrors, and a nameless longing.
Call me names= name calling is simply the act of saying bad things or insults to or about someone. And when it comes to nicknames Somalis are past masters. Nicknames are most given when young. Some have so many nicknames and as Somalis say they don’t overburden. Each and every Somali has one. Some Somali nicknames run on the extreme vulgar words including insults or hunchback or lame.
