That's my name, don't wear it out!

Throughout the year in AiS class, we have been discussing the differences between denotation and connotation. We have come to a conclusion: every word has, to some extent, a variation of both. So, if all words have connotation- does this apply to names as well?

I believe it does. Take the Madoff family for example. It has recently been reported (see link) that Madoff's daughter-in-law legally changed the name of herself and her two children to her maiden name, Morgan. It was, understandably, done for protection. And yet it must also have something to do with the reputation. Her father-in-law was responsible for the largest ever,50 billion dollar Ponzi scheme that robbed countless poeple of their life-savings. He could quite possibly be one of the most hated men in America.

This is the connotation of Madoff.
Family names do have connotations. Names reveal reputations, scandals, history, even ethnicity and religious background. They have style and culture. changing your name is changing part of yourr identity.

So, for better or for worse, your last name and whatever connotations that ensue will follow you for the rest of your life.