Can the choice of a name set the course of one's life? Can a name impact how one is perceived in society, how they connect with others, or their self-perception?

In this case, the answer is yes. In The Names, by Florence Knapp, the choice Cora makes in naming her newborn son has a profound impact on her entire family. The story leaps to life in the beginning chapters as Cora names her baby boy either Bear, Julian or Gordon, and sets in motion three distinct traumas that set their lives on distinct paths. Composed in seven-year increments, the reader follows the lives of Cora, Maia and Bear/Julian/Gordon along with their family and friends over the course of 35 years.

This was a novel that grabbed me in the first chapter and held on tightly to the end. I found myself reading it late into the night, during sports events, while cooking, and while eating. I smiled, I cried, I reflected on my own life and that of those I know. Even when not actively reading, the book remained on my mind, often distracting me from other tasks.

This novel was one of the best I’ve read in a long time. I love how the characters were impacted, not only by major life events at the beginning, but subtly throughout their lives by the perceptions of others and how they viewed themselves. As a debut novel, Florence Knapp has certainly proven herself by crafting this beautifully written, imaginative, and occasionally haunting work. The theme of domestic abuse runs throughout the narrative, yet there is also a prevailing theme of hope as the complexities and beauty of life unfold.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My name is Rhonda. I cringe even writing that; I have hated my name for my entire life. As a little girl, I’d meet friend’s parents for the first time and they’d be visibly surprised when I told them my name. I’d apply for waitressing jobs in college and prepare to never hear back because I was sure they’d be picturing an old lady instead of a young girl when they picked up my resume. I’ve considered going by my middle name but always chicken out; afraid to go to all of the trouble only to have people always think of me as Rhonda anyways. The moral of this story? Names definitely affect our lives, or at the very least, our feelings about ourselves.

I was instantly intrigued when I read the synopsis of this book - a story that examines just how much a name can affect a person’s life. The book starts out with Cora who is on the way to the registry to name her newborn son. Her husband, Gordon, is an abusive man who insists that the baby be named after him, in the tradition of the men in his family. At the registry, Cora makes 3 different choices, and we get to follow the life stories that follow based on the names she chooses. The first, Bear - the name her daughter Maia suggests. The second- Julian, the name Cora has always loved and envisioned for her son. And the third - Gordon, her attempt to keep the peace with her husband.

I loved following the stories and seeing how different each of the paths were; the characters were so well developed in each one, and I felt attached to them quickly. As we switched back and forth, the timelines would shift ahead which was sometimes confusing to follow on a kindle; I want to read this again in a real book format so that I can easily flip back and forth. The only thing I felt was missing was the connection the names had to the resulting lives. For me, it felt like it was just the decisions that Cora made in the registry that day - to completely defy her husband, to follow her own heart, or to acquiesce to his demands - that changed the paths forward, not so much the names themselves.

Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomca for the arc of this book, I really, really enjoyed it. It officially comes out today! 🎉

3.5 stars !

'The Names' is a vast and unknowing exploration of how names shape the person you are. This story first roped me in with its premise, and the characters really surprised me. Cora was a neglectful mother to Gordon, yet protective and faithful with Bear and Julian, and this disparity highlights the difference between having power to control something like your baby's name and being unable to. I understood this deeply, yet I was disappointed that Cora would shove aside an innocent baby because of her own husband. Maia was so incredible and sweet and powerful to me. The way she would step in and try to meditate and calm down her father when Cora would anger him to a point >>>>>. She was so loving and nurturing to her brother Bear, and had so much love in her heart for the people she cares for. I loved seeing her interact with others around her and her personality flourishing. Bear was just a sweet little angel cupcake, so carefree and happy, naive of how his parents were constantly bickering and arguing about the family name, because he didn't need to insert himself, so he didn't. Bear fit his name perfectly, strong and determined, but with his own soft side and comfortably playful. One of the best choices Cora made was to defy her husband. Seeing the light drain out of her eyes after twice having to get a beating because she named their child something other than Gordon, and to also determine how Gordon was so much different then he was now before he let her in, cracked my heart in a weird way. So many people actually go through marriages and relationships like that each day, and to see another woman have to go through that makes me sad. The exploration of names in this book and how they may not shape you completely, but in some way early on, fascinated me. You can shape yourself into who you truly want to be, never give in to anyone else's happiness or pleasure at the very expense of your own, and conforming to standards is insightfully a stupid idea. A great mind cruncher. <3

Florence Knapp's The Names is a stunning, lyrical mediation on memory, family, and the quiet power of naming the things - and people -that shape us. With prose that's both restrained and emotionally charged, Knapp invites readers into an intimate landscape where the past lingers just beneath the surface of the present.

The narrative unfolds with deliberate grace, weaving together fragments of personal history, cultural memory, and introspective reflection. Each name mentioned feels like a small incantation, pulling threads of forgotten lives and hidden truths into the light. Knapp's ability to imbue the ordinary with profound meaning is remarkable, her storytelling is subtle but deeply resonant.

What stands out most is the tenderness with which Knapp handles themes of loss, belonging, and the complexity of identity. Her voice is clear, compassionate, and wise - never overwrought, always honest. The Names isn't just a book you read; it's a book you feel, one that stays with you long after the final page.

Highly recommend!

4.5 ⭐️ Heartbreaking, intimate, and unforgettable!

This book. This book. It reached right into my heart and held on. I finished The Names with a tightness in my chest and tears in my eyes, completely undone by the quiet strength of its characters and the weight of everything left unspoken. Florence Knapp has crafted something incredibly special here, an emotional, layered exploration of identity, choice, and the fragile threads that shape a life.

Told through three alternate realities that branch from a single, quietly pivotal moment, the story unfolds with such tenderness and aching clarity. Cora’s journey is one of quiet resilience, filled with moments that feel so honest and raw they almost hurt to read. There are parts that are difficult, shadowed by pain that lingers quietly, but everything is handled with such sensitivity and care. I felt deeply connected to Cora and her son in every version of their lives, and I ached for them in different ways.

The writing is stunning, elegant, and emotionally sharp. Each chapter felt like stepping into a different version of truth, and I was completely swept up in the what-ifs and the ripple effects of a single name. I found myself pausing to reread lines, to sit with them, to let them settle. This is not just a story, it is a reflection on the life we live, the ones we imagine, and the courage it takes to choose ourselves, even in the smallest of ways.

The cover is just as striking, subtle but full of meaning once you have lived the story, and this one will stay with me for a long, long time.

The only reason this is not a full five stars for me is that a few transitions between timelines felt slightly uneven, pulling me out of the moment just enough to notice. Still, it is a remarkable, moving novel that I will not forget.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this digital ARC. I recommend The Names with my whole heart.

This is one of my favourite books of 2025 so far. The concept is interesting. It asks: what is the impact of a single decision? Can one moment redirect the course of your entire life?

In this story, we follow Cora, a woman in an abusive relationship, who must make a choice. What name will she give her new son? Will she pick the name her husband has imposed, Gordon Jr. Will she pick Julian, a name of her own choosing but that means ‘sky father’—a meaning that she hopes will be enough to appease her husband, or will she choose the name that her young daughter is proposing, Bear, because it reflects being soft and cuddly yet brave and strong.

Three stories unfold, each based on the outcome of the three options. We watch as each character ages, hits different key life events (and decisional moments), and see the ripple effect on their own respective decisions.

It’s an impressive debut novel that speaks to family legacy and generational trauma. It also reads easily (although be warned that it delves into hard topics such as domestic abuse).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy.

"The extraordinary novel that asks: Can a name change the course of a life?
In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register her son's birth. Her husband, Gordon, a local doctor, respected in the community but a terrifying and controlling presence at home, intends for her to name the infant after him. But when the registrar asks what she'd like to call the child, Cora hesitates...

Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of Cora's and her young son's lives, shaped by her choice of name. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities of autonomy and healing."

Ok, I absolutely LOVED the concept of this book and I read it in around a day. The writing is beautiful.

However, while it is thought-provoking, I also found it deeply disturbing because of the domestic abuse storyline (which threads through each of the three "names" scenarios), and because of that, it was a difficult read for me (and I imagine would be for anyone who has any experience of this). It is definitely a book that will have you thinking for a long time afterwards.

Imagine that you have a different name - what would it be and how could that have changed your life?

Three different names for the baby boy equals three different outcomes for the whole family.

I love the idea of how a different first name can change the path of one's life. I hate reading about domestic abuse. Florence Knapp expertly ties the two together to make a fascinating story that I read in one go!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for allowing me to read this in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is an interesting book. It really captivates you and keeps you hooked. The writing style is enjoyable, the characters are riveting. I’m shocked that this is a debut novel it’s interesting how one decision can lead to 3 very different outcomes. Would definitely recommend reading.

The Names is a masterfully crafted, emotionally resonant novel that explores how a single choice can shape an entire life—and the lives connected to it. The structure, shifting between three alternate timelines, is brilliantly executed and never confusing, offering a profound meditation on identity, trauma, and resilience. Cora is a powerful and unforgettable protagonist, and the portrayal of domestic abuse is both honest and sensitively handled. This is a deeply moving, thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page—a testament to the strength it takes to break cycles and choose a different path

What’s in a name? Would your life have played out exactly the same if your parents had chosen a different name for you? In her debut novel, Florence Knapp explores this question by following three separate timelines in which Cora, the abused wife of a well-respected doctor, chooses either to defy, to manipulate, or to obey her husband’s orders in the naming of their newborn son.

Let me start by saying that the cover art is absolutely genius. Three very different flowers growing from the same stem perfectly encapsulates the structure and heavy symbolism of this novel. It’s also very striking in its simplicity, which can also be said of Knapp’s writing style. Well done to whoever designed it.

I’ll be honest with you, this is a hard book to review. When I got to the end, I just sat for a while staring into space and trying to figure out how I felt about it. First of all, the domestic abuse that Cora suffers is horrific and uncomfortable to read. No, not just uncomfortable... downright maddening. Please check trigger warnings if depictions of abuse are likely to disturb you. I’m sure some of the scenes in this book will haunt me for a while. Secondly, I had trouble figuring out what message the author was trying to convey. I’m still not sure I have a good handle on it, but it’s certainly left me thinking.

Cora’s decision in the opening chapter comes down to three names for her baby: Gordon, after his abusive father and grandfather, which she fears will doom him to turn out just like them; Julian, the name Cora favours, which she hopes to convince her husband is in tribute to him, since it means “sky father”; or Bear, the name her 9-year-old daughter Maia wants to call him, since he’s cuddly like a teddy bear but strong like a real bear. Whichever name she chooses seals her and her children’s fate. From that point, we check in on each timeline in turn every 7 years. I found it interesting that Knapp chose 7-year intervals, since the number 7 holds great symbolism in many cultures, and 7 years is considered to be the time it takes for the body’s cells to renew themselves. Very fitting.

I thought at first that I would have trouble following each timeline in this format, but they were different enough that I rarely felt lost, even when I had to set the book down and pick it up again mid-chapter. Knapp does an excellent job of thinking through the details and making each storyline believable. For instance, a boy named “Bear” would hear a lot of animal references throughout his life and would think of himself as connected to the animal kingdom, while a boy named after his father and grandfather would think of himself as an extension of their legacy, for better or worse. Knapp clearly put a lot of thought into how details like those could shape a person’s psyche and alter the course of their life.

But my confusion about the message of The Names grew with every time jump. “What exactly is Knapp trying to say with this story? Is she trying to say anything at all? Maybe it’s just an interesting writing exercise and I should stop overthinking it?” But then I got to the Epilogue, and I’ll try not to dive too deep into spoilery waters here, but it did answer my questions to some degree. I believe there is a message in The Names, but it isn’t about names at all.

Cora’s decision of what to name her son was a turning point in her life, but it wasn’t the only one. It wasn’t even the biggest one. Every life is full of crossroads moments, when each possible decision would lead us in a different direction. It’s impossible to foresee the consequences of every action, and quite frankly, stuff’s gonna happen no matter what you do. Not one of the three timelines is The Perfect Life. Would a fourth be perfect? No, of course not. Nobody’s life is perfect, even if you always make the right decision. But isn’t it infinitely more satisfying to see Cora take control of her life than to watch her submit to her husband’s tyranny? Yes!! And when it comes right down to it, I think that’s what Knapp is trying to say.

Basically, The Names is a story of life’s infinite possibilities. Knapp’s writing is exquisite, her attention to detail is impeccable, and the story is thought-provoking, heartbreaking, and powerful. I highly recommend it.

The Names by Florence Knapp is a powerful, heart-wrenching novel that I couldn’t put down. I fell in love with every character, even as their stories broke my heart.

It begins with a seemingly simple act: a woman goes to register the name of her newborn son. But that moment becomes a crossroads — does she follow tradition and societal expectations, or does she choose a different path entirely?

This is a story about the strength it takes to change course, to push back against the weight of expectation — in our families, our communities, and even our names. Yes, the book explores etymology, but what truly matters is what those names mean to the people involved: the mother, the father, and the society watching. More than that, it’s about the power of naming itself — the ability to name things for what they truly are, to see clearly, and through that, to defy fate and heal from a legacy of harm.

It’s a deeply moving, beautifully written novel that speaks to survival, choice, and transformation. I’ll read anything Florence Knapp writes next.

Trigger warning: includes scenes and themes of domestic violence.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC.

solid 5 stars
What's in a name? The Names investigates family relationships, domestic abuse and other personal issues. One family, and 3 people effected by the behaviour of the fourth. It is a difficult, haunting book to read, especially if you have some experience in the issues covered. There were definitely times I had to put the book down to catch my breath.
Cora the mother, Maia the sister, and the brother (Bear/Julian/Gordon) whose life introduces the story. The reader is catapulted into the lives of these three tender individuals and the what-ifs that could be.
You despair for them, you cheer them on, and you are saddened that you could not help them. This is a masterpiece in resilience, in the goodness in your chosen people, and in the family you can create. In spite of everything.
This is a book that will stay with me because it is so powerful in emotion and makes you reflect on your own choices and those who continue to live in those circumstances.
Be prepared to be brave because to swallow these words will change you.
'If it doesn’t stop, Cora thinks, this pattern will repeat endlessly, the destiny of each generation set on the same course.'
Thank you to #NetGalley and #PenguinRandomHouseCanada for the opportunity to read an early copy. #FlorenceKnapp, you have a new fan.

The Names is a beautiful story that cleverly interweaves the themes of identity, love, heartbreak and domestic abuse. Each chapter looks at a possible life for Cora and her family, depending on which name she registers her baby boy as. Does a name determine a future for a child? Does it encourage them to become certain things, or inhibit them from becoming others? Each chapter delves further into a possible future and left me grasping to know more. While more questions arose at each chapter, so too did the exploration of self identity.
This book was one I struggled to put down before reaching the end, and would highly recommend to others.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the premise of this book. I truly feel that names have an impact on a person. When a family name is carried on, it carries a certain weight with it. Thus, I was very interested in reading this book.
I found it really interesting how the three versions were told. However, I found the story jumped around a lot. The abuse sections were hard to read so I’m glad there weren’t more. I’m interested in reading more by this author! Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to have access to this ARC.

Received as ARC from NetGalley - with thanks to the author and publisher.
A great story of one family, divulging into three potential story lines for all, based on the name of a child. A wonderfully creative and engaging premise.
Context addresses gender based violence and domestic violence.

This book had me hooked from the first few pages. Florence Knapp’s debut has such a rich and layered meaning, examining how the past clings to us, how fate winds through bloodlines and choices.

Each of the three interwoven narratives of Bear, Julian and Gordon pulled at a different emotional thread. They felt like real people—flawed, searching, unforgettable. I found myself rereading sentences just to sit with the feeling a little longer.

Very impressive debut by Knapp.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Viking for the advance ARC copy!

Trigger warning: there is domestic violence that runs throughout all three stories. It isn't graphic, but it is an integral part of each story line.

This is a thoughtful and somewhat intense look at how choices can impact a life. That question we all have when we make a decision that is perhaps not the best one. What if I had done x instead. This explores that idea. Would life be different for Cora and her baby? For her husband? For her other child Maia? There is a thread of hope in each of the stories, but also that sense of underlying tragedy. As the stories unfold in a different manner, the hope is different. The tragedy is different.

What was most interesting for me is how similar Maia is in each iteration of how her life could be. How her choices almost intersect each other. How she made similar and almost consistant choices in each possible version of herself. As if she was a constant that would make the same choice (or similar choice) no matter the crossroads. Not sure if that was intentional or not.

The lives of most others are very different, from how the domestic violence plays out for Cora, to how Bear/Julian/Gordon make decisions in their lives as they grow. Those are the choices that then affect others around them and change timelines for family and friends as a result.

Very thought-provoking story.

An excellent book! The format was very interesting. 3 options for the same characters. Very thought provoking. Well done

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It starts with the story of Cora, a woman who is being abused by her well-respected husband and tries to hide it from herself and her children. Instead of one plot though, three different paths are written up, as a function of the protagonist naming her son Bear (whom he reminds her of and her daughter chose), Julian (which she chose), and finally Gordon (her husband's choice, to name their son after him). She know that if she chose either of the first two, there would be consequences, but she also acknowledged that even if she chose Gordon to name their son, her life would still remain the same. From then on, three stories emerge of Cora, her daughter and her son. Each story has her son with a different name. All stories are somewhat tragic, the first being the most painful with Cora being killed by her husband. All stories are filled with sadness, obfuscating the truth about the family's past, and not being honest with themselves or their partners. So much to learn about and the consequences of spousal abuse and the last negative impact that it has on all parties involved. I myself was a daughter who observed physical abuse by my father toward my mother. Even as a I approach 80m I still remember horrifying occasions and recall my mother's crying, despite her attempts to be quiet. Lasting harm, lasting effects. My only criticism of the book was that more should have been given on ways that women can be aided in such situations one, and the signs and indications that a woman is in this horrible predicament, two, so that others can be better informed. Women need to take the first step to get help, yes, but we as members of society must be cognizant enough to be able to identify a negative situation and help is some small way.