The scientific study of names has always fascinated me, in an off-and-on way, since I was a teenager. I don’t exactly engage in onomastics, but searching for the meaning of names (or inventing my own) is a hobby of mine. And you’re talking to the girl who compiles lists of both names and surnames for fun.

Maybe you’ve seen the keychains that’re meant to carry some sentimental value because your name is on it, but that doesn’t count as much to me as the meaning often does. ‘Course, my name means “princess,” so for all you know, I’m just a total snob about the name thing since mine indicates royalty. (That’s right, you peasants! Bow before… Oops, sorry, my projecting slipped into the open there.)

Over here, you can find a list of insightful essays on how the study of names impacts individuals and society on different levels. And in case you’ve forgotten the meaning of your name, you can search for it here. (And did you know that websites on parenting and babies have name search engines?) If you want to know the meaning of your last name, go here.

If you have a unique name and can’t find its meaning at any of these sites, do a little research. Ask family members for help. My middle name is long and Polynesian (it’s my maternal grandmother’s name), and I didn’t know what it meant until last year ("water") because I Googled for it and pestered my mother and other relatives until they told me. So now I suppose I’m a “water princess.” A nereid. Fancy that!