The Christian name has a greater influence than the surname. Sometimes a nickname has a still greater effect. The effect of the name is according to its use; the more it is used the greater the effect. Shortened names such as May for Mary, Bill or Willie for William lessen the effect of the name.

The names given by the holy ones have a double effect: that of the name itself and that of the will of the one who gave it. Maula Bakhsh, the greatest musician of his day in India, was given his name by a faqir who was charmed on hearing his music. It means "God bless." After taking this name he had success wherever he went and was blessed with merit and reward, both of which are the rare gifts of God. There are many instances to be found where a change of name has brought an entire change in a man's life. We read in the Bible that the blessing of Jacob was the name of Israel given to him by the angel.

In the Qur'an Muhammed is constantly addressed by a special name having its effect not only on the life of the Prophet, but on his followers who adopted and worked psychologically with any of these names. Sufis have for ages experienced the mystical value of these names. Among Sufis the Murshid gives to his pupils the name Talib, or Mureed, which is to give him in time the identity of the name.