The Language of Names: What We Call Ourselves and Why It Matters - Softcover

David Mehegan The Boston Globe A readable and extraordinarily detailed exploration of human names and naming....irresistible.

Marina Warner The New York Times Book Review Mr. Kaplan and Ms. Bernays's approach is genial, light-handed, as if engaging the reader in party conversation....The Language of Names tackles a rich and fascinating theme.

John Strawn Portland Oregonian An entertaining look at a subject we intuitively regard as of great importance...but rarely think about.

David Crumm Detroit Free Press The authors aren't trying to prove a thesis as much as they are trying to leave us with a sense of wonderment, so that the next time we meet someone, we might linger a moment longer in pondering his or her name.

As delightful and playful as it is profound and serious, The Language of Names is an absolute original -- a fascinating book that reveals us to ourselves, that demonstrates the endless variety of ways in which names shape our daily lives. Drawing on social and literary history, psychology and anthropology, anecdotes, and life stories, biographer Justin Kaplan and novelist Anne Bernays have written a fascinating account of names and naming in contemporary society that touches on class structure, ethnic and religious practices, manners, and everyday life.
Graceful, eloquent, and richly informed, The Language of Names explores and illuminates our favorite subject -- ourselves.