The Names

by Florence Knapp · 2025

In the aftermath of a devastating storm, Cora drives with her nine‑year‑old daughter Maia to register the birth of her newborn son. Her husband Gordon, a respected doctor with a controlling grip on the family, insists the child carry the ancient family name—Gordon. On the way, Cora hesitates, torn between tradition, her own longing for the name Julian, and Maia’s playful suggestion, Bear. That single, split‑second decision spawns three parallel lives, each following a different name and the divergent paths it creates for the boy, his mother, and the women around them. Spanning thirty‑five years, Florence Knapp’s richly layered novel explores how a name can echo through generations, shaping identity, love, and the possibility of breaking cycles of abuse. Through a prism of what‑ifs, The Names asks whether one choice can rewrite destiny and offers a hopeful meditation on autonomy, healing, and the enduring power of family.