The Power of Naming: How Words Shape Legitimacy, Perception, and Control by Istiaque Doza

Naming Is Never Neutral

Names aren’t just labels. They shape how we understand the world, define legitimacy, and control narratives. From colonial rulers renaming entire cities to political leaders rebranding conflicts, naming has always been a tool of power.

I’m deliberate about the names I use—and the ones I refuse to use. I choose not to name a particular state in the Middle East because doing so grants it a legitimacy I don’t believe it deserves. This isn’t just a linguistic preference. It’s a conscious rejection of the narrative that this occupying force wants to impose.

Naming is never neutral. It’s an assertion of reality. And when we question it, we begin to see just how much influence words hold.

The Colonial Playbook: Rename and Erase

History is full of examples where renaming was used to erase cultures and rewrite the past. Colonial empires did it all the time. The British renamed cities across India to suit their own tongue. Zimbabwe was called Rhodesia after a British colonizer. Constantinople became Istanbul. Native American tribes were forced into names that fit government records rather than their own histories.

This wasn’t random. Renaming is an act of dominance. When you rename something, you claim ownership over it. You erase its past and overwrite it with a version that serves your own interests.

It’s a tactic we still see today.

Legitimacy Through Language

A state, an institution, or an idea doesn’t just gain legitimacy on its own. It requires recognition. And one of the easiest ways to grant that recognition? Language.

When a name is repeated often enough, it becomes accepted as truth. That’s why propaganda relies so heavily on terminology. Governments frame their military actions as operations rather than invasions. PR agencies craft names that make corporations sound friendlier, more human, and less like the profit-driven machines they are. Political movements carefully choose labels that make them sound just and moral, regardless of their actual actions.

Language molds perception. Control the language, and you control the narrative.

Trump’s Attempt to Rename the Gulf of Mexico

Donald Trump recently suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Ridiculous? Sure. But also revealing.

Renaming land and bodies of water has always been a way to assert dominance. If Trump had his way, the U.S. wouldn’t just be geographically positioned next to Mexico—it would claim ownership over the waters themselves.

This isn’t new. There’s a long history of states battling over place names. Iran insists on Persian Gulf, while some Arab nations call it the Arabian Gulf. Argentina and the UK dispute whether a set of islands is called the Falklands or Islas Malvinas. Taiwan fights to be recognized under its own name, rather than being lumped under China’s rule.

Names determine legitimacy. That’s why they matter.

The Psychology of Naming: If You Say It Enough, It Becomes True

Repetition is one of the most powerful tools in propaganda. Studies on misinformation show that people tend to accept repeated statements as fact, even when they start out skeptical. This is why governments and media carefully choose their language.

Think about how wars are framed.

• Operation Iraqi Freedom sounds noble. Invasion of Iraq sounds like a crime.
• Collateral damage sounds unfortunate. Civilian casualties sound like murder.
• Settlements in occupied territories sound peaceful. Illegal land grabs sound like theft.

Words shape reality.

This is why I refuse to name that state. It makes it easier to recognize them for what they are, instead of what they want us to believe.

Resisting the Power of Names

So what can we do about it?

1. Refuse to accept imposed names. If a name exists to manipulate, don’t use it. Call things what they are, not what a PR team wants them to be.
2. Reclaim erased names. Indigenous groups around the world are fighting to restore historical names that were taken from them. This effort matters.
3. Question the language used in media and politics. Ask yourself: Who benefits from this terminology? Who shaped this narrative?

Naming isn’t just about words. It’s about power. If we start paying attention to the names we use—and the ones we refuse to use—we can challenge the narratives forced upon us.

Final Thought: What Stories Are You Accepting?

Every name carries a history, a political stance, and an agenda. Every name either grants legitimacy or challenges it.

So the next time you hear a name, stop and think: Who gave it that name? And why?

Opinion Disclaimer

This article represents my personal views and interpretations. It is based on my analysis, research, and lived experience. Readers are encouraged to think critically and engage in their own exploration of the topic. While I aim to provide an insightful perspective, this piece is an opinion, not an absolute truth. Constructive discussions are welcome.

PS

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Words are my craft, and I’ve spent years using them to shape narratives, influence decisions, and connect people to ideas. But with that power comes responsibility. I know firsthand how language can be used to build truth—or distort it.

This piece is personal to me because it highlights something crucial: if we don’t actively question the words and labels that are fed to us, we risk becoming passive consumers of narratives that serve others, not us.

The world is in a precarious state, and part of the reason is that too many people accept what they’re told without question. If we don’t learn how words are being used to shape our perceptions, we’ll never reclaim control of our own thoughts.

I encourage you to stay informed, challenge assumptions, and be mindful of the language that surrounds you. If you’d like to continue this discussion, connect with me—I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s keep pushing for awareness, for truth, and for the power to define our own realities.