RYAN
Ryan- the cutest guy ever, and has the greatest respect for girls, is funny, and very very Loving! (via http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ryan)
Ryan- In Irish, Gaelic, and American, Ryan means "Little King" (via http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/ryan)
From what I have been able to find, my name is mostly associated with Ireland and means "Little King". As much as I would love to be able to say that I look and act like this,
I simply do not. I am not the type of person to rule others and live lavishly at the expense of others, like a king would. I feel as though I am more respectful and open-to-others as a leader. My belief is that putting a definition with a name is a form of unaccurate labeling. There are thousands of people that possess the name Ryan, and I am positive that we are all not exactly like "Little Kings." The same applies for the Urban Dictionary definition of Ryan. I know that I am the cutest guy ever, however, only one Ryan can hold this title. Since I own the title of cutest guy ever, not every single person named Ryan falls under the definition of Ryan.
On a side note, I met a high school senior who lives in Illinois and goes by the name of Ryan Donnelly through Twitter. We are best friends now and are exactly alike. I wonder if the name your parents gives you plays a role in fate???
Individuality and being part of a community are two vastly different occurrences. Often times, being part of a group brings out the individual. Swimming is a sport that I participate in frequently, and through swimming, I am able to compete as an individual as a part of a team. This is an interesting concept that adds a new level of difficulty to the competition. I have been two different me's many times in the sport. For example, when lining up behind the blocks, swimmers often shake hands and say good luck to each other. On numerous occasions, there are swimmers are on the same team competing in the same heat. As an individual, you obviously want yourself to win and do well. As a teammate, and part of a group, you want your teammate to do well too. When this happens to me before a race, I split into two me's. In one me, I wish my other teammate good luck and say "Oh you'll probably win this one, I'm pretty tired!" In the other me, I say to myself that I am not going to let myself lose to him. This poses the predicament of competing as an individual as a part of a team. Which side should one value more?
Does Michael Phelps as an individual want to win, or does he want America as a group to win?
I really agree with your comment that a label should not be placed with a name, for that is false labeling. I prime example of this is Urban Dictionary. Although hilarious, most of its definitions are inaccurate.
ReplyDeleteThat was interesting Ryan. I think the "me" that says you will not let your teammate beat you triumphs over the "me" that's wishes your teammate good luck and says that he will win. Humans tend to have a very selfish mind set even if they care for another person.
ReplyDeleteRyan, I like how you researched your name both in terms of modern interpretations and historical meanings as well. I agree that one name can't have a single definition and that a name certainly can't match a personality as everyone is different regardless of their names.
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