(See Also: Abbreviations)
Each name’s meaning derives from its root language. Patricia, for example, means noble (which is the origin of the word patrician). Try looking in a baby’s name book for more information along these lines.
Names can have symbols built into them.
For example, someone in your dream named Mr. or Ms. Heart can symbolize your own emotions, or a person you know who is very loving.
Receiving a new name in a dream indicates drastic change and personal transformations to the point of a figurative rebirth. In European and Judaic folk traditions, healers often gave people new names to fool the spirit of sickness into leaving the body. Similarly, in many cultures a child is given a new name after undergoing a rite of passage into adulthood. This name marks the child’s new role in that society.
A sense of individuality. Each person’s name engenders images and feelings to those who hear it. People often chose nicknames that are more appropriate representations of their true natures.
The development of, or initiation into, an esoteric or metaphysical path. Many people practicing such faiths adopt a new name that reflects their spiritual vision and other positive qualities.
Control over aspects of the self or a specific situation. Many ancient peoples in Europe believed that if you knew a person’s or entity’s true name (like that of a fahy), you would have power over it. By naming something in a dream, you may be trying to exert or develop increased command, and make that item or characteristic more concrete.
[1](1) Pay attention to (hidden) meanings in personal or place names: for example, ‘Mr / s House’ (yourself, since house is a symbol of self); ‘Freetown’ (time you liberated yourself); ‘Hershe’ (‘he’ and ‘she’, your feminine characteristics, particularly if you are a man). Of course the meaning may depend on the context.
(2) If you are given a new name, this suggests it is time you entered the next phase of your personal development. (In initiation ceremonies initiates are / were often given a new name to mark their new status.)
[2]The names that appear in dreams can contain word play that leads you to their true meaning.
It is important to pay attention to them and try to guess their hidden meaning.
There are superstitions about different names. For example, if you dream your name is “Jorge” (“George”) you will never be hung.
If the name happens to be “Ines” (Agnes), you will go mad.
[3]Forgetting one’s own name, or the names of others, is common in anxiety dreams. Being overburdened in waking life becomes so overwhelming that the dreamer feels unable to identify with his or her true self and can no longer recognize others.
[4]To see someone’s name in a dream may indicate God’s desire for you to pray for them.
To see a name crumbling or rotting is a symbol of wickedness and evil, Prov. 10:7
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