AKA Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh was the scourge of the free world in the '60's, the center around which all Vietnam swirled. (And the West thought, erroneously, the entire Pacific Basin.) He was born Nguyen Sinh Cung and eventually changed his name to Nguyen Ai Quoc, meaning "Nguyen the Patriot." Finally he changed his name to Ho Chi Minh, meaning "The Enlightened One."

The American Indian felt--and many still do feel--that one's name is part of one's essence and many will not surrender their name to an enemy, or even a stranger. The Europeans identify their name with clans and tribes. It is amusing to see a man develop his name as his politics develop, especially when that appellation is self-applied, like nominating oneself to a club. It is deeper than a nickname as the latter is something of a caricature; Ho's is a banner,--a descriptive names like a boxer's or a ship's-- a statement, like an American "Professor' or "Doctor" or "Sister." Or a preemptive strike, like naming William "The Conqueror" when he was ten years old.

Ho Chi Minh:  http://steeleydock.blogspot.com/2010/01/revolution.html