The New Book of Magical Names

Rating:
Summary: A valuable resource in any library
Review: "Magical names harken back to rituals deep in our past when we first named ourselves, when we first looked at ourselves and knew that we were sacred." (pg. xv)

McFarland opens with a brief descrption of the history of nomenclature and its social context from the ancient Celts of 1000 CE with names like "Aelfraed", derived from aelf meaning elf, and raed council (the modern equivalent "Alfred" lends a new perspective to Batman's butler and confidant), to the more bizarre and occasionally amusing Puritan reign where such names as "Kill Sin Pimple" appear in court documents, to the current day, and even offering predictions for future naming trends.

Regarding the relatively recent trend inventing names, McFarland notes that "on one hand we are creating a generation of meaningless names (which does say something about the culture in which we live); on the other hand, others are simply spinning out new generations of older name clones (which also says something about that culture). So by the very nature of our superficiality or resistance to change, historical nomenclature is socially significant as ever." (pg. 23).

There is a large practical section devoted to naming rituals, spells, exercises, meditations, and for divining and empowering one's chosen name, whether naming oneself, a child, or a coven or group. Also discusses folklore surrounding naming customs, rites of passage, initiatory, for each degree, etc.

McFarland lends a wide variety of sources available for choosing a name: common archetypes, names from birds, the sky, space/time, light/dark, names that are traditionally last names used as first names, natural and elemental names, and name sources, places, garden, floral and fauna, as well as a huge section dedicated to selecting names from fiction: from The Lord of the Rings to The Mists of Avalon and everything in between. Though many names are left with little or no explanation beyond their historical time period or who the characters are. However, there are no "harsh" names, no mention of Kali, or Pluto, Chaos or Discordia, everything is left quite light-hearted. While it's nice to keep things positive it's not very balanced.

Offering much more than a simple compendium of names, this book will be a valuable resource in any library.

Rating:
Summary: Very good, very useful, handy little book
Review: I bought the first version of this book and just had to pick up this one as well. My only complaint is that a lot of the original "Book of Magical Names" is re-hashed in the "New Book of Magical Names" (which is why it only got 4 stars) When I buy book 2, I expect nothing but new stuff! If you have not purchased the first book, then only buy the second because you really don't need both.

The details, quality and extensive info contained on magical and meaningful names is marvelous! I recomend this not only to pagans but to anyone who needs names. You will not find names like these on those "baby name" sites. You also won't find the insight and information contained there either. This book is essential for almost anyone's library and I personally find it incredibly useful. I love this book!

Rating:
Summary: This is the one for you
Review: This book has all the names you need for whatever reason. I love it. You can't go wrong with The New Book of Magical Names. IT has a name for every need, water names, earth names, air names, fire names, and much more. She even has a listing of famous character names.

Rating:
Summary: Naming
Review: This covers naming EVERYTHING, even covens, and it's done in a very simple, but not boring way.

Especially if you're look for a magickal name, you should get this.

Rating:
Summary: the A+ NamE Book
Review: This is such a great book. It is the book for just about every thing. From finding your inner name, pen name, characters, children names, and so forth
This book is excellent!

Rating:
Summary: Names
Review: This is the answer for your search of names. Weather it's for a chilled, pet, or character. This book has it all. The writer goes way beyond Christian names and classical names. I highly recommend this resource.