What's in a name?

A very wise person once asked that question, and answered it.  It was posed by Shakespeare, the great playright in his Romeo and Juliet.  Let me give you the background.  Romeo and Juliet are conversing, and contemplating the fact that their family's are at war.  Juliet asks Romeo "What's in a name?" and tells him that its nothing at all.  she even goes on to say "that which we call a rose/by any other name would smell as sweet."  Its a useless piece of identification.  Well, Shakespeare was right.  Names are useless outside of identification purposes (and stories of course).  Way back when names actually meant something they were a little more useful.  Last names used to describe the occupation of the person, or in certain cultures (such as french) their town of origin.  Still however these names were little more than identification.

So what's my beef?  why am i writing a post attacking names.  Well basically its just because i wanted to tell people that their name has nothing to do with who they are.  It does not make them more likely to be silly or funny or dumb or smart.  A name is a name, its a tool for vocal discrimination and there its usefulness ends.  Of course in literature names often take on significance, but i'm talking real life here.  So for all those people who want to get a name change, is it really necessary? Is it really gonna fufill your life in some way?  I won't tell you if you should or shouldn't, but think about it first.