The resounding Mazal Tov's came thick and fast this week -- they were the felicitations extended for the great joy upon the birth of a heir to the British throne (and those subjects of the commonwealth). Perhaps, as an ex pat Brit, born and bred in England, I am seen as an extension of royalty. Quite frankly, I was somewhat surprised at the exhaustive attention paid in the media to the waiting game for the birth of the new baby. It didn't end there, either. As soon as the announcement was made, heralding the birth, the next phase of this event started -- the great anticipation of what this little prince was to be named.
And so it was that we learned the name of the new prince: His Royal Highness, Duke of Cambridge, George Alexander Louis. The young prince was named for his great great grandfather -- also a King -- as well as other royal forebears.
We are taught that the names we are given are not only for identification purposes but also indicate the very essence of a person. The Talmud relates that one of the greatest sages, Rabbi Meir, was blessed with the uncanny ability to know a person just by hearing the name. Truly an amazing feat, but this is not the Talmud's intent in relating this anecdote. The real purpose is to convey a sense of the awesome responsibility we have, knowing that the names we bear can influence positively the outcome of our own lives. They allow us to reach the great potential of the illustrious forebears we are named after -- and, by extension, the great achievements of those that they, in turn, were named for.