Among most peoples in the world, children are given names. In the United States children have a family name, 

or a “last name,” and a first name. Most also have a middle name. However, not all people name children in the 

same way.   Some peoples believe that the spirits of those who have died are reborn in babies. To name a baby, the parents 

begin by saying the names of the child’s ancestors. The baby may sneeze, smile, or cry when a certain name is said. 

The parents think that means the ancestor is reborn in the baby. The baby is given that name.

Some peoples change their names. Navaho Indians change their names when they want new ones. The Navaho 

can decide to use the mother’s last name rather than the father’s. They may want an English name in place of a 

Native American one. Or they may change their English name into a Navaho name. The Navaho do not think it 

important to keep the same name. 

In some parts of Africa, a baby’s name is kept secret. No strangers are allowed to learn it. People there believe that the name is part of the child. They think that anyone who learns the name will have power over the child.