Who is more appropriate to give a name to himself than he himself? Several people bare a name and they wish they were called somewhat else. You're perhaps named "John" but for some unxplained reason "Allan" or "Philip" sounds so much better, but still you are a "John". And "John", as all other names, has traits and qualities that can affect social image and even character. Take artists, for example. Most of the famous ones we know, actors, singers and so on, have changed their names to fit their careers. Do you think this is only because they want to keep personal data away from publicity? Names that can't easily be forgotten or bare a glimpse of glamour and fame are chosen carefully before the career takes off.
Another very interesting aspect of names is what I call "name it and it will be so". A quite usual case for most of us, if we think of someone as "stupid" and keep calling him "stupid", then stupidity will be his truest companion, at least in relation to us. But try to call the very same person "clever" or "effective" and perhaps he turns out to be really clever and effective, too. Another example that mostly pet lovers will agree with, is giving a name to a pet. A black cat simply called "Blacky" can be fun to be with but, as some vets admit, they are not so prestigious, skillful, even tactful as a cat named "Maximillian", "Lucius", or "Eduard". If this applies to pets, imagine what happens to people!
So, what is it with names that makes them have such influence in career or attitude? Perhaps, some of you already know that words, when uttered properly, vibrate at a specific frequency and this is a world of vibrational waves we live in! Am I taking it too far? Well, new science can give the answer to those who doubt it. And if this new crazy science is not your cup of tea, then poetry and beauty might do the trick; Everybody knows, I assume, Romeo and Juliet. Can you imagine Bob and Jo Jo in their place?... Are you perhaps laughing already?
To the gist now, there are a few historical things to be mentioned for those who are interested in the language and culture of the same land which is famous for Plato and mousakas! What a contradiction, I must say, but this is what happens when History is extremely long. In antiquity our country was Hellas (meaning "The Land of Light"), its people were the Hellenes and the language was Hellenic. And these were names fairly invented and attributed by the natives to themselves and their home. Later on, when the Byzantine Empire arose, those turned into names not only to be forgotten, but also the new religion thought of the word "Hellenes" as equal to pagans and idol-worshipers. The result was those who still considered themselves Hellenes, were hunted, pursecuted, excecuted. In the meantime, the name "Greek", probably spread all over by the Italians, had now taken its position. Many centuries later, when Konstantinoupolis fell and the Othomans took over, the name "Greek" became equivalent to "rogue" and "thief" and "Greece" would host those wretched inhabitants. However, when the time of the "Greek Revolution" came, it became after all clear that the former, true name of this nation should be reestablished. The words "Hellas" and "Hellenes" came again to the frontscene and up to date, the natives call themselves "Hellenes" and not "Greeks".
What an adventure for just a name, coming and going affected by the tides of History! And still, even today "Greece" has prevailed in the place of "Hellas" in most other countries apart from Hellas itself and many language-learners wonder after all why two names for one language or others excused in a way ask; "Am I learning Greek or Hellenic?" mistaking Hellenic for the ancient part of the language. Well, it is Hellenic, I'm afraid! It has been, it is and it will be. It is exactly the same language that King Leonidas spoke, evolved and adapted to the modern era but it is still the same language! How we distinguish the old form form the modern one? We call it "Ancient" and "Modern Hellenic", that's all! Just because "Greek" does not connect us to our Hellenic past.
Thinking for a moment about the sound of a name, its vibration as well as the traits it bears connected to History and not only, while making a quick relation to the present situation of the turmoiled Europe and the position of our country in it, a very good question to all of us living in this country and caring about it should be: "Is it Greek or Hellenic?" What if it was only Hellenic?
