Your name. It’s more than just a phrase used to grab your attention. Names are one of our most important characteristics. Our personal titles.

In 1997 Jerry Hill created Celebrate Your Name Week. He saw it as a time to learn more about your own name and explore the monikers of others. The 7-day event lasts from Sunday March 3 to Saturday March 12, 2011. Here are 7 ways to celebrate:

Namesake Sunday Start the week off by pondering your name. Have you ever wondered why you have the name you were given? Were you named after another person, or a major event? Investigate the invention of your given name.

Namesake Sunday is also the time to find out who shares your name. Find out how many people hold the same name claim. You may even be compelled to reach out to your name doppelgangers.

Fun Facts Monday People tend to dislike Mondays, so it’s the perfect time for a fun activity. Lookup some interesting facts about names, and check out fun names owned by real people. Sometimes people name their kids after real objects, foods and cities. Search for some actual names that surprise and entertain you.

Unique Names Tuesday Most people share their first and last name with others, but a few individuals have names that are truly unique. Tuesday is the time to celebrate names that are owned exclusively by one person. How do you know for sure? A people search by first and last name provides the answer.

Learn What Your Name Means Wednesday Have you ever wondered exactly what your name means? Does it have a specific definition or a hidden significance? March 9 is the time to check it out. Dig up the origin of your name. See what it means and discover exactly why it was given to you.

AKA Thursday Not everybody sticks with their birth name. Some choose aliases for themselves and others earn nicknames that become permanent. A few people even use an AKA (also known as) more than the name on their birth certificate. On Thursday, take a moment to think about aliases, pseudonyms and nicknames that people happily call their own.

Middle Name Pride Friday It happens all the time. Middle names are neglected far too often. It’s something Jerry Hill hopes to change. The creator of Celebrate Your Name week suggests revealing your middle name to at least three people on March 11.

Genealogy Saturday How much do you know about your family tree? Genealogy Saturday is the perfect occasion to learn more. Wrap up Celebrate Your Name week by discovering your ancestors. Take a fascinating journey through the past that helps you understand more about yourself. After all, these are the people who helped make you what you are today.

Happy Celebrate Your Name Week March 6 – 12 is a great opportunity to find thrilling facts about your name, or the names of relatives, friends and anyone else. So how will you participate? Have fun learning about names this Celebrate Your Name Week.