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It may be that my simple mind does not understand the complexities of statecraft or that my aging mind does not like change. Whatever the reason, I would have been happy for the lake formally known as Ontario to retain its name of 400 or more years. In fact, I may wait a couple of years before I use TLFKAO’s new name. Who knows, it may want to go back to what it’s always been called.
This post is not about the politics on hydronomy, though I do have my opinions about the politics of this name change. Frankly, I was never bothered by the name Gulf of Mexico and tend still to use it when we are in Florida visiting our son and his family who live on the Gulf Coast near Pensacola. And for me the name Ontario works by far the best for that least great of the Great Lakes.
This is not a post about politics, or lakes and their names, however. This is a post about anthroponymy (Yes, it’s a word. Look it up.)
It seems that the God of the Bible is interested in anthroponymy. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that the Lord calls his chosen by name (Isaiah 43:1). Referring to himself, Jesus tells us the Good Shepherd calls his own sheep by name (John 10:3).
My name is Bill or William. The onamists say my name means “Resolute Protector.” Whether I live up to my name (I’m not sure I do) is for someone else to decide. Isaiah tells me that the God who calls me by name is my protector:
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you. (Isaiah 43:2)
Jesus says the Good Shepherd who knows my name lays down his life for me. (John 10:11)
Juliet tells Romeo, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Romeo were he not Romeo called would still be the one Juliet loves. Were I called by some other name, the Good Shepherd would know that name and would be with me whether as I pass through the waters or walk through the flames. But the fact of the matter is that I am called Bill, sometimes William, and the God who created me and redeemed me knows me by name and calls me by name.
For what it matters, I will still call TLFKAO “Ontario.” It matters much more that God knows and loves me by name.