It is curious to us when we learn that we have something in common with another person.  I’m left handed and it’s always fun to compare notes with another lefty.  Even the simple things women have in common, such as being from the same home town, are a great way to start a conversation and even start a relationship.  Women with husbands in active Military duty, have a strong common bond and connection.  Pet owners of a certain breed instantly connect.

What do Sharon Barber (purse designer, inventor), Sharon Stone (actress), Sharon Tate (actress) and Sharon Osborne (celebrity) have in common? It is the name “Sharon”, of course, and even having a name in common is a curiosity and a connection.

The name Sharon was popular in the US, in the late 40′s, but it is not a common name for new born baby girls today.  Sharon first appeared on the chart of top 1000 most popular girls’ names in 1925. It quickly gained popularity and was a top 10 name between 1943 and and 1949. It remained in the top 100 until the late 1970s, when it began a gradual decline, from which it has not recovered. In 2007, Sharon ranked as the 715th most popular name.

The name Sharon is of Hebrew origin, and it means “a fertile plain”.  It was the name of a place in the Bible, the flat land at the foot of Mount Carmel.

The phrase “rose of Sharon” comes from the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament and describes the beauty of a young woman. During the time of Solomon, the plain of Sharon was known for its beautiful flowers, though the exact flower in reference is up for debate. The Hebrew word chabatstseleth is often translated as “rose” but may also mean “meadow saffron”.

It truly is a small world and people do share many connections and common aspirations.  Our hope is that people learn to accept our differences and value a common vision for a peaceful world.