Have you ever listened to young children at play and noticed that they often give themselves new names? The names may be those of a superhero, an athlete, a movie star, or a television character. Sometimes a child may simply choose a name that is not her own. A new name brings a new status in the peer group. A new name brings a new perception of self.

Children easily assume the roles that accompany the name. Three-year-old Sally was playing with a group of kindergarten and first grade children in her mother's Sunday School class. The topic for the day was names. Each of the older children was given a choice of a Biblical name and told to act out what that person might be like. Abraham was, of course, the father of the group. Tabitha was a gazelle. Jonah was a dove. Isaac was full of laught…