Do I need a craft name?

[Bethra]

I have been studieing the pagan path for sometime now and have found lots of references to choseing a path name and why this should be done. I have spent many hours in contemplation of a suitable name but have so far drawn a blank. I have found many reasons why I do not fit the image of a lot of names but have found the main reason I can't settle on one is that I like my own name. The name I post under here is a nick I have had for many years thanks to a news group I visit. Bethra is a lady from a fantasy book by David Eddings and is not magical at all. My real name is Diane and I can not find any other I would rather use as a craft name. What I want to know is why you should pick a craft name. I gather it is a form of rebirth and the entering into a new life but I have always held theses beliefs I simply didn't always have a name for my religion. As such my entry into Paganisum is not realy a rebirth but rather a renameing and so I don't think I need to choose a craft name and since Diane is very similar to Diana and Danu and so on is it truly required that I pick a craft name? I'd be interested to know if anyone else has found it difficult to pick a craft name or if anyone else has oppted to stick to their own name? I would also be interested to find out the reasons you all chose a craft name and how you went about it. Forgive me if this has been covered in previous threads I was just very curious to know that was all. I also feel that in these more enlightened days is there still the need for the annonamisasy that was the key reason for haveing a craft name?

[Sylv]

I'd definitely say that if you feel comfortable with your real name, use it. I think there's a lot of reasons to go with craft names-it makes people feel special (lol-j/k), anonymity, putting you in 'ritual' mode but if your name already feels appropriate to you, keep it! My craft name-Sylvana (from Latin for forest) Hope- is something that I took because I'm not comfortable with the origins of my real name when I'm in my religious setting (my real name is from the Old Testament-nothing wrong with the Hebrews, but there views and mine are rather different; not to say I'd like to be Roman or like all their warfare, but at least Sylvanus is a forest deity *g*) and because I think it's pretty. :)

I also feel that in these more enlightened days is there still the need for the annonamisasy that was the key reason for haveing a craft name?
I think that depends on you, your job, and your location. I happen to live in the bible belt right now (moving this summer) and while I don't deny my beliefs, I don't blurt them out, or wear a five inch ankh. Plus, no matter how enlightened the age is, I don't want my real name out on the internet.
It took me a long time to find my craft name, and I'm still growing into it-for a long time I simply used my real name for everything. I'm solitary so I'm not familiar with coven names, etc.
This is kind of rambling-I hope I've answered your questions. Unless you belong to a specific coven/group, or are on a specific path that requires the adoption of a craft name, I'd use your real name. Plus, Diane is a gorgeous name and I wouldn't want to change a name that sounded like Diana. :)

[Bethra]

Thank you for answering my post and for helping me along with my decision. I'm thankfull for your explinations of reason and this realy has gone some way to helping me understand a little more about craft names. The more I find out the more I realise that I'm perfectly happy being me and the fact that I live my life as Pagan constantly means I don't feel the need to alter my name for ritual use. I am a self practicer though I have a new friend who would like to work with me. It was she that got me thinking again about craft names as she asked what she should do about finding one for herself and if I had one I used. I guess the best thing I can say to her on this matter is to go with what feels right for her since I think she will want to change her name for the craft side of things. I'd like to here from anyone else as to what their craft name means to them and why they picked it since I feel it may give greater insight to this hole topic and I can sit my friend down in front of this thread and let her figure out for herself if she wants to choose a new name and how she should go about it. I must admit to feeling very proud that she has asked me to help her learn more about Paganisum and what I believe but I also feel a little daunted by it all since it is more about how I live my life than ritual and religion to me. Please one and all help me out on this one and give my new friend some insight in this matter as since I have never chosen a craft name I can not advise her in this at all.

[Phoenix]

Well my real name - Elizabeth - Is a pretty big part of Christian folklore and It because it is a family name but religious wise I didn't feel comfortable with it so I adopted Phoenix Dragonhart. It really suits me, I have always loved mythical creatures and collect dragon statues also I found out just last year that my last name is from the old english Draki meaning dragon. cool huh! but if you feel more comfortable with your own name then by all means use it.

[Jenett]

As has already been said, t here are a bunch of reasons for craft names - wanting something to help you set off ritual time from the rest of your life, anonymity, as well as the fact it's a requirement in some traditions. Finally, it can sometimes be a specific connection to specific energies (a deity, a totem, a tradition or teacher - usually these aren't the exact names for those things, but something based on it, or involving related words.)

The tradition I'm learning doesn't require them for students (though we're encouraged to take one), but we are required to take a new name (or make an alteration to the name we've been using) for initiation.

Personally, I use one for several reasons. First, my given name is Jennifer - there are a lot of Jennifers out there, and over time, I've gotten desensitised to people trying to get my attention by calling my name. Right now, if someone yells "Jennifer!" to get my attention outside, I'm likely to tune it out (which isn't really helpful.) If someone tells "Jenett", I'm a lot more likely to pay attention.

Secondly, I use it online for anonymity. I am out to my friends, but not at work, and my last name is unusual enough in the US that a simple websearch would probably turn up the information I was Wiccan *if* I ever used my real name in that context. And again, since Jennifer is a really common name (especially in my age bracket), just using "Jennifer" isn't a reliable identifier.

And I use it because it's a way for me to separate my ritual work from other worries - I worry less about the bills, the traffic getting to ritual, and all of that other stuff when people start calling me Jenett.

As to how I picked it: Jenett is one of the variant names for the heroine in one of my favorite ballads (Tam Lin). She's passionate, involved - not always making the brightest decisions, but brave and loyal and steadfast when push comes to shove. As I did more research, I also found out that it's one of the more common names that turns up in the witchcraft trials in Britain.

I've been considering a name for initiation - I've decided that I don't think I'm going to share that name publically (online or outside of the group I'm working with in person), but I'll say that it's another language version of the word 'silver' for a variety of reasons (one being that the color has been showing up in my life in a big way in the last year or more, and I want to acknowledge it.)

[Blueowl]

I am in agreement with a couple people on here. It is all up to you whether or not you desire a craft name. I have been studying for 3-4 years now, and I finally came up with one last week when I started in this forum actually!!! Go with the flow baby and do what is right for yourself not what you think others may deem appropriate!
:boing: :smoke: :eyebrow:

I love your quote Phoenix!!!!