How to Write a Name Poem...

I'm fascinated by names - their history, what they actually mean - African names, Indian names, English names, Jewish names, you name it! - Jacob, Hakeem, Malaika, Daniela, Dylan, Lucia, Taiwo, Talika, Jayne. Every name has its own unique rhythm.

Think about someone you know, think about their name and/or the meaning. When you write a verse inspired by it, you have a name poem.

Writing a name poem for someone is a great way of celebrating who they are. There's also something very special about creating something for someone yourself. Sometimes, it can mean a lot more than buying a gift from a shop.

- It's a very thoughtful gesture

- It can make people feel good

- make them feel special

- nourish their self-esteem

HOW TO WRITE A NAME POEM...

1) Grab a sheet of paper and write down the meaning of the name of the person you want to write for. If you don't know the meaning, hop on the internet and search for the meaning (or get a book of names from your local library, or buy a book of names on Amazon). Alternatively, you could ask the person you're writing for what their name means.

2) Write down 5 words/images that come to mind when you think of this person's name.

3) Think of 5 things you like/love/enjoy about this person. Write those down.

4) Now you have 10 words/images you can work with!

5) With those, decide if you want to write:

- an acrostic name poem (i.e., using each letter of the person's name to write a sentence)

- a rhyming name poem

- a free verse poem (less structured/formulaic, is freeflowing, uses imagery & rhythm - rhyming's optional)

- or even a story.


It's completely up to you.


(p.s.: you can use all or just a few of your 10 words/images to write your name poem. More importantly, go with the flow and see what happens. Example below.)

My friend's name is 'Geeta' which means 'Song' in Sanskrit.

List of words and images that spring to my mind when I think of the word, 'Song':

- a woman's voice
- a lullaby
- freedom
- the sun
- elation

What I like about Geeta:

- her smile
- her cheekiness
- her brown hair
- her hugs
- her thoughtfulness

Geeta (acrostic name poem)...

(I've put the words I've used in bold)

Grab me a lullaby, woman

Echo your voice through the wind.

Embrace the future. Smile its shyness away.

Tomorrow, your lips shall sing of freedom

Allowing the sun to burst through - once again.

~~~~~~~

Geeta (free verse name poem)...

She smiles

and the sun bursts awake

flowers shake in anticipation

and the wind whistles joy

She opens her arms

and the world stumbles toward her

(a little child)

for one great big Mother hug

She sings a lullaby

and the seas calm (down),

clouds congregate,

trees Mexican wave

She is a baby's smile,

an old woman's chuckle

and deep belly-laughs.

She is brown hair

sweeping out steely cobwebs,

the cheek demanding

to be kissed with respect,

the body deserving of love.

She is freedom ...epitomised.

Spirit --- forever knowing.

A song, forever hummed.

~~~~~~~

I hope this has motivated you to perhaps pick up a pen(cil) or keyboard and create a name poem (or name story) for someone you care about.

And remember, that that 'someone special' includes you. There's nothing stopping you from writing a poem for yourself. Nothing at all. May I suggest that you deserve it? :-)

Take care and happy writing :-)

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