Home > Just for Kids > What's In a Name? > Names and Naming

Shakespeare asked, "Whatís in a name?" Itís a good question, because there is plenty of hidden information in both your first and last names. Chances are, your family originally came from somewhere else and moved to America, and your name can give clues about the country your ancestors came from. It doesnít matter when your family came to the U.S.--you may have moved here recently with your family, or your relatives from way back in the 1600s may have sailed across from England to live here. Your name has hidden information if you know how to look for it.

• Do you know the history of your name, or do you know what it means?
• Do you know, or can you guess what culture it is from?