6 Minute English from BBC Learning English.com

Hello this is 6 minute English from BBC learning English.

I'm Neil and I'm Beth. In every language there's one word which has special

power over us. Our name. Our senses, feelings and whole identity are closely linked to our name.

Yet strangely our name isn't usually something we choose.

It's given to us by our parents.

But what if the name you were given at birth doesn't fit? Maybe you simply don't like it.

Or maybe there are bigger reasons for wanting to change your name, reasons connected with historical injustices or unfair events in the past.

In this programme we'll be meeting two people whose family history has caused them to consider changing their name.

And as usual, we'll be learning some useful new vocabulary as well.

Sounds good, Beth, but first I have a question for you. My name, Neil, is a British name and was given to me at birth.

But names change a lot between cultures and religions. Many Muslim boys are named Muhammad.

Indian boys are often called Ram or Krishna and in Mexico some boys are named Hezus.

So according to a recent global survey, what is currently the world's most popular

boy's name? Is it A. Hezus? B, Mohammed, or C, Noah?

Hmm, I guess it's Mohammed.

Okay, Beth, I'll reveal the answer at the end of the program.

In Britain, a person's first name is also called their Christian name, and in Christianity many names have a religious meaning.

The name John, for example, means God is good. Anderson, Jeremiah is the Bishop of Edmonton. He was born in

South India but he doesn't have a traditional Indian sounding name. Here Bishop

Jeremiah explains the roots of his name to BBC World Service program

Heart and Soul.

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