What’s in a name?
“Who are you? What’s your name?” Our names are one of the first words we learn, and usually follow us our entire lives. Here are two book recommendations to celebrate the story and meaning behind your child’s name together.
The book cover of the Name Jar — a Korean girl looks into a jar filled with folded papers
The Name Jar is a touching book about a Korean immigrant named Unhei who wants to chose an English name with the help of her classmates. No one can pronounce her Korean name correctly, and she’s anxious to fit in.
This book explores the complexities of the immigrant experience — what do you take with you? what do you leave behind? — and the importance of being proud of your heritage and who you really are.
When I read this book to my 2nd graders every year, students of all backgrounds connected with it. Everyone could relate to wanting to fit in, be respected, and make friends. This book also encourages empathy and understanding in children who haven’t journeyed as far as Unhei or felt like an “outsider” among their peers. It also emphasizes how special names can be, and it inspired my students to want to explore the meaning of their own names.
The Name Jar is about a 3rd grade reading level.
The book cover of Chrysanthemum, a mouse holding a chrysanthemum flower’s stem
It’s hard not to fall in love with this little mouse, Chrysanthemum, who loves her name until she starts school and some girls tease her. How silly, to be named after a flower! And a name so long it can’t fit on a name tag! What’s a poor mouse to do?
Like in The Name Jar, this story encourages readers to respect others’ differences and embrace what makes each of us special.
Chrysanthemum is a 3rd grade reading level, but I think the themes and concepts are easier for kids to grasp at a much younger age. I’d say that The Name Jar is more complex in its themes.
After reading either book, here are some conversation starters & name activities…
Share the story behind your child’s name, and why that’s special. Here is a printable activity for a deeper dive.
Make a name jar together to choose a new name for a pet, toy/stuffed animal, feathered friend or squirrel in the backyard.
Ask your child what they’d name themselves if they could choose a different name. Would they change their name? Why or why not?
Talk about why it’s important that we learn names properly, and why we don’t tease others about their names (refer back to either story and how the main characters felt when their names didn’t “fit” in).
Learn about how names are given or earned in other cultures around the world. One of my students from India was named by a woman she called the “Name Maker,” who had the special job of naming the children in her village. This is a fun article too — The Indian Village Where Everyone's Name is a Unique Song.
If you are a Christian like me, you might enjoy reading bible stories with your child about people whose names are changed by God — such as Paul, Abraham, Sarah, Peter.
Have you read any other books about names? I’d also enjoy hearing your thoughts on either of these books if you give them a try!
