Quotes about naming
page 10

“Little princess, lovely as the dawn, well named Aurore.”

Cameron Dokey (1956) American writer

Source: Beauty Sleep: A Retelling of Sleeping Beauty

“More evil gets done in the name of righteousness than any other way.”

Source: Dreams of Steel (1990), Chapter 23 (p. 310)
Context: “What do you want, Blade. Why are you doing this?”
He shrugged, an uncharacteristic action. “There are many evils in the world. I guess I’ve chosen one for my personal crusade.”
“Why such a hatred for priests?”
He didn’t shrug. He didn’t give me a straight answer, either. “If each man picks an evil and attacks it relentlessly, how long can evil persist?”
That was an easy one. Forever. More evil gets done in the name of righteousness than any other way. Few villains think they are villains. But I left him his illusion. If he had one. I doubted he did. No more than a sword’s blade does.

Way, Evil

“Chaos is a name for any order that produces confusion in our minds.”

George Santayana (1863–1952) 20th-century Spanish-American philosopher associated with Pragmatism

“… reality, the name we give to the common experience.”

Tom Stoppard (1937) British playwright

Source: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

Reality

“One of my cousins is named Lucifer. I once asked my aunt why and she said, "Because I wanted him to be beautiful and to think for himself.”

Ilona Andrews American husband-and-wife novelist duo

Source: Magic Breaks

Beauty, Thinking

“Long ago, in a burst of friendliness, Aunty and Uncle Jimmy produced a son named Henry…”

Harper Lee book To Kill a Mockingbird

Source: To Kill a Mockingbird

“I would rather make my name then inherit it.”

William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–1863) novelist

“Edward knew what it was like to say over and over again the names of those you had left behind. He knew what it was like to miss someone. And so he listened. And in his listening, his heart opened wide and then wider still. (page 103)”

Kate DiCamillo book The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Source: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Heart

“If your name is getting too heavy, you should have Kvothe give you a new one.”

Patrick Rothfuss book The Wise Man's Fear

Source: The Wise Man's Fear

“People got such a charge from seeing their names in print. Proof of existence. I could picture a squabble of ghosts ripping through piles of newspapers. Pointing at a name on the page. See, there I am. I told you I lived. I told you I was.”

Gillian Flynn book Sharp Objects

Source: Sharp Objects

People

“The Pentagon still has not given a name to the Iraqi war. Somehow 'Operation Re-elect Bush' doesn't seem to be popular.”

Jay Leno (1950) American comedian, actor, writer, producer, voice actor and television host

War

“I do believe that his given name is something odd. Peregrine, Penrose- Piers, that's it."
"He sounds like a dock." Lord Sundron put in.
"Mrs. Hutchins called me a light frigate this morning," Linnet said "a dock might be just the thing for me.”

Eloisa James (1962) American academic

Source: When Beauty Tamed the Beast

Light

“I stopped believing there was a power of good and a power of evil that were outside us. And I came to believe that good and evil are names for what people do, not for what they are.”

Philip Pullman book The Amber Spyglass

Source: The Amber Spyglass

People, Evil

“Pet names are a persistent remnant of childhood, a reminder that life is not always so serious, so formal, so complicated.”

Jhumpa Lahiri book The Namesake

Source: The Namesake

Life, Childhood

“I disobeyed Ra's wishes, and so he ordered my onw father, Shu-"
"Hang on," I said. "Shoe?"
"S-h-u," she said. "The god of the wind."
"On." I wished these gods had names that wearn't common household objects. "Go on, please.”

Rick Riordan book The Red Pyramid

Source: The Red Pyramid

God, Shoe

“Griddle cakes, pancakes, hot cakes, flapjacks: why are there four names for grilled batter and only one word for love?”

George Carlin (1937–2008) American stand-up comedian

Source: Napalm & Silly Putty

Love

“By the way, my name's Rose Hathaway. I'm seventeen years old, training to protect and kill vampires, in love with a completely unsuitable guy, and have a best friend whose weird magic could drive her crazy.
Hey, no one said high school was easy.”

Richelle Mead book Frostbite

Source: Frostbite

Love, School, Way, Guy

“What can she possibly teach you, twenty seven names for tears?”

Janet Fitch book White Oleander

Source: White Oleander

Tear

“A poet's work… to name the unnamable, to point at frauds, to take sides, start arguments, shape the world and stop it from going to sleep.”

Salman Rushdie (1947) British Indian novelist and essayist

World, Fraud, Sleep

“Mother used to say it meant Christopher was a nice name because it was a story about being kind and helpful, but I do not want my name to mean a story about being kind and helpful. I want my name to mean me.”

Mark Haddon book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Source: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Help

“You can be known as Val or Babycakes.”
His gaze darkened. “My name is Valerius and I will not answer to Val.”
She shrugged. “Fine then, Babycakes, have it your way.”

Sherrilyn Kenyon (1965) Novelist

Source: Seize the Night

Way

“Your Father in heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him.”

Jeffrey R. Holland (1940) Mormon leader

Source: Created for Greater Things

Fear, Faith, Dreams, Hope

“Now the Sirens have a still more fatal weapon than their song, namely their silence… Someone might possibly have escaped from their singing; but from their silence, certainly never.”

Franz Kafka book The Silence of the Sirens

"The Silence of the Sirens" (October 1917)

Silence, Singing

“Grief reconfigures time, its length, its texture, its function: one day means no more than the next, so why have they been picked out and given separate names?”

Julian Barnes (1946) English writer

Source: Levels of Life

Time

“Has anyone ever told you," I said, "that you coalesce reality?"
"No. They only say that I'm good in the sack."
"They are accurate but limited," I said. "And if you give me their names I'll kill them.”

Robert B. Parker (1932–2010) American crime writer

Reality

“Avoid teams at all cost. Keep your circle small. Never join a group that has a name.”

George Carlin When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?

Source: When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops?

“You don't have to say I love you to say I love you," you said with a shrug. "All you have to do is say my name and I know."

…"Can't you hear it?" you said. "When you love someone, you say their name different. Like it's safe inside your mouth.”

Jodi Picoult (1966) Author

Love

“Your name is Lily Whitney. You are the woman I want at my side night and day. I want you to be the mother of my children someday. I want you for my lover. I want you for the person I turn to when the world gets to be too much.”

Christine Feehan book Shadow Game

Source: Shadow Game

Children, World, Lovers, Personality

“The days were heavy and sticky. All identical, one the same as the other. Soon they would even get rid of their one remaining distinction, the shell of their names: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday.”

Ismail Kadare book Chronicle in Stone

Source: Chronicle in Stone

“But remember that the pain of parting from friends will be felt by everybody at times, whatever be their education or state. Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience; or give it a more fascinating name: call it hope.”

Jane Austen book Sense and Sensibility

Source: Sense and Sensibility

Pain, Happiness, Education, Hope

“No one will forget me. Not my look, not my name. Katniss. The girl who was on fire.”

Suzanne Collins The Hunger Games

Source: The Hunger Games

Girl, Forgetting

“The future has several names. For the weak, it is impossible; for the fainthearted, it is unknown; but for the valiant, it is ideal.”

Victor Hugo book Les Misérables

Variant: The future has many names: For the weak, it means the unattainable. For the fearful, it means the unknown. For the courageous, it means opportunity.
Source: Les Misérables

Future

“I will You, in all, Myself, with promise to never desert you,
To which I sign my name.”

Walt Whitman book Fulles d'herba

Source: Leaves of Grass

“This is not a good time, Miss Implant." Roman felt Jean-Luc jabbing him in the back with his walking stick. "Uh, Porky. No, I mean--" Damn, what the hell was her name?”

Kerrelyn Sparks (1955) American writer

Source: How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire

Hell, Time

“Every time we start thinking we're the center of the universe, the universe turns around and says with a slightly distracted air, 'I'm sorry. What'd you say your name was again?”

Margaret Maron book Bootlegger's Daughter

Source: Bootlegger's Daughter

Thinking, Universe, Time

“Oh, my dear! I’m afraid you’ve mistaken
me for someone else! My name is Rhea Silvia. I was the mother to Romulus and Remus, thousands of years ago. But you’re so kind to think I look as young as the 1950s.”

Rick Riordan The Mark of Athena

Source: The Mark of Athena

Thinking

“She did not know the nature of her loneliness. The only words that named it were: This is not the world I expected.”

Ayn Rand book Atlas Shrugged

Source: Atlas Shrugged

World, Nature, Loneliness

“That's what I like to call him, "the current president." I find it difficult to say or type his name, George W. Bush. I like to call him "the current president" because it's a hopeful phrase, implying that his administration is only temporary.”

Sarah Vowell book Assassination Vacation

Source: Assassination Vacation

Hope

“We can do subtle," I assured her.
"It's our middle name," Andrea added.
For some odd reason Rene didn't look convinced.”

Ilona Andrews American husband-and-wife novelist duo

Source: Magic Slays

“Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.”

Nora Ephron (1941–2012) Film director, author screenwriter

Love, School

“We have a name," said Jace. "Magnes B-"
"Shut up." Alec hissed, thwacking Jace with his closed menu. Jace looked injured.
"Jesus," he rubbed his arm. "What's your problem?”

Cassandra Clare book City of Bones

Source: City of Bones

Problem

“Ivashkov," she repeated, her face the picture of serenity. "My name is Sydney Ivashkov.”

Richelle Mead book Silver Shadows

Source: Silver Shadows

“If a woman is worth remembering,' said my grandmother, 'there is no need to have her name carved in letters.”

Edwidge Danticat book Breath, Eyes, Memory

Source: Breath, Eyes, Memory

“I'm almost there, almost to the barricade, when I thinks she hears me. Because for just a moment, she catches sight of me, her lips form my name.

And that's when the rest of the parachutes go off.”

Suzanne Collins book Mockingjay

Source: Mockingjay

Thinking

“Adventure is just a romantic name for trouble. It sounds swell when you write about it, but it's hell when you meet it face to face in a dark and lonely place.”

Louis L'Amour (1908–1988) Novelist, short story writer

Hell

“The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.”

John Stuart Mill book On Liberty

Source: On Liberty

Way, Effort, Freedom

“Kyle want to be a rockstar. I think hes working the one-name thing. Like Rihanna."
"I have no idea what you're talking about.”

Cassandra Clare (1973) American author

Idea, Thinking

“The man that I named The Giver passed along to the boy knowledge, history, memories, color, pain, laughter, love, and truth. Every time you place a book in the hands of a child, you do the same thing.”

Lois Lowry book The Giver

Source: The Giver

Love, Pain, Truth, Books

“Imagination is but another name for super intelligence.”

Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950) American writer

Imagination, Intelligence

“Next time you think of me like that, say my name when you come. It'll get you off even better.”

Jessica Bird (1969) U.S. novelist

Source: Lover Enshrined

Thinking, Time

“Clary - "Look you can date whoever you want and I will totally support you. I am all about support. Support is my middle name."

Simon- "So that's why you never told me your middle name. I figured it was something embarrasing.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Glass

Variant: Look, you can date whoever you want and I will totally support you. I am all about support. Support is my middle name.”
“So that’s why you never told me your middle name. I figured it was something embarrassing.
Source: City of Glass

Support

“My name is tally youngblood and my mind is very ugly”

Scott Westerfeld book Pretties

Source: Pretties

“Dimitri was on a first name basis with one of the most badass guardians around. Of course, Dimitri was pretty badass himself, so I shouldn’t have been surprised.”

Richelle Mead book Frostbite

Source: Frostbite

“Fever jumped aside just in time to dodge the shower of urine, and stumbled into the path of a religious procession - celebrants in robes and pointed hats whirling and clapping and chanting the name of some old-world prophet”

Philip Reeve book Fever Crumb

Source: Fever Crumb

World, Time

“politics were as bad as mathematics, and that the mission of politicians seemed to be calling each other names”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

Mathematics

“Name none of the fallen, for they stand in our place, and stand there still in each moment of our lives. Let my death hold no glory, and let me die forgotten and unknown. Let it not be said that I was one among the dead to accuse the living.”

Steven Erikson book Deadhouse Gates

Source: Deadhouse Gates

Death, Dead

“The problem with having so many people call me by nicknames was that when someone called me by my actual name, it usually meant something serious was happening.”

Richelle Mead book The Indigo Spell

Source: The Indigo Spell

People, Problem

“We've been wed more than a month. Since it appears you mean to stay, I might as well give you leave to call me by my christian name. It is preferable, at any rate, to 'clodpole.”

Loretta Chase book Lord of Scoundrels

Source: Lord of Scoundrels

Wedding, Appearance

“Experience is the name so many people give to their mistakes.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald book This Side of Paradise

Source: This Side of Paradise

People

“We're all born lost, aren't we? We're all born separated from God - over and over life makes sure to inform us of this - and yet we're all real: we have names, we have lives. We mean something. We must.”

Douglas Coupland Hey Nostradamus!

Source: Hey Nostradamus!

Life, God

“and yet her name was like a summons to all my foolish blood.”

James Joyce book Dubliners

Source: Dubliners

“I became a firefighter because I wanted to save people. But I should have been more specific. I should have named names.”

Jodi Picoult (1966) Author

People

“Did you know there are thirty-two names for love in one of the Eskimo languages?" August said. "And we just have this one. We are so limited, you have to use the same word.”

Sue Monk Kidd book The Secret Life of Bees

Source: The Secret Life of Bees

Love

“with your name on my mouth
and a kiss that never
broke away from yours.”

Pablo Neruda (1904–1973) Chilean poet

Kiss

“Back when I was on my first assignment as a seeker, I was way out in Arizona. Brought in this kid named Clarisse.”

“Clarisse?”

“Sibling of yours,” Hedge said. “Ares kid. Violent. Rude. Lots of potential.”

Rick Riordan (1964) American writer

Way, Siblings

“And speaking of females, if I call you by one's name while my fangs are plunged deep in your neck, just run with it.”

Kresley Cole American writer

Source: Dreams of a Dark Warrior

“There is a common emotion we all recognize and have not yet named—the happy anticipation of being able to feel contempt.”

Thomas Harris book Hannibal

Source: Hannibal

Happiness, Feeling

“It just goes to show you: you can put nine insane miles between you and another person. You can make a vow to never speak his name. You can surgically remove someone from your life. And still, he'll haunt you.”

Jodi Picoult book Lone Wolf

Source: Lone Wolf

Life, Personality

“This is Buford,” Leo announced.
“You name your furniture?” Frank asked.”

Rick Riordan The Mark of Athena

Source: The Mark of Athena

“I'm Keith," he said, "and you're… clearly mad, but what's your name?”

Maureen Johnson book 13 Little Blue Envelopes

Source: 13 Little Blue Envelopes

Madness

“I fancied you'd return the way you said,
But I grow old and I forget your name.

--From the poem "Mad Girl's Love Song”

Sylvia Plath (1932–1963) American poet, novelist and short story writer

Love, Way, Girl, Madness

“Mercy is not a proper Indian name."……….."Rash Coyote Who Runs With Wolf. We could shorten it to Dinner Woman.”

Patricia Briggs book River Marked

Source: River Marked

Wolf

“Name three types of olives."

"Olives! I wouldn't know one type!"

"Well, there are three. You can get green ones, you can get black ones, or you can get stuffed.”

John Marsden book Tomorrow, When the War Began

Source: Tomorrow, When the War Began

“You will find a way to live without me. You will find a way to live for both of us,' Alexander said to Tatiana as the swelling Kama River flowed from the Ural Mountains through a pine village named Lazarevo, once when they were in love, and young.”

Paullina Simons book The Bronze Horseman

Source: The Bronze Horseman

Love, Way, Mountain

“If I were to name the three most precious resources of life, I should say books, friends, and nature….”

John Burroughs (1837–1921) American naturalist and essayist

Life, Books, Nature

“I had a chance at him now. Things were a bit more even. He knew my name, I knew his. He had six years' experience, I had five thousand and ten. That was the kind of odds that you could do something with.”

Jonathan Stroud book The Amulet of Samarkand

Source: The Amulet of Samarkand

Chance

“I want my name to mean me.”

Mark Haddon book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Source: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

“God is the same, even though He has a thousand names; it is up to us to select a name for Him.”

Paulo Coelho book By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

Source: By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

God

“I named my dog Stay, so I can say, 'Come here, Stay! Come here, Stay!”

Steven Wright (1955) American actor and author

Dogs

“If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things.”

Confucius (-551–-479 BC) Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher

名不正，则言不顺
Paraphrased as a chinese proverb stating "The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name."
Source: The Analects of Confucius
Source: The Analects, Chapter XIII

Truth