What's In A Name: Jebel Ali Becomes National Paints!

In a move that echoes the very sentiments of the Bard himself, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has decreed that the familiar Jebel Ali Metro Station will be renamed as National Paints, for the next decade. One can almost hear the RTA's whispered ode to Shakespeare!

Copyright: Khaleej Times

"What's in a name?" Juliet once mused in the moonlit tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, contending that a mere label cannot define the soul's true essence. "That which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet," she famously declared, dismissing the power of a word.

But is a name truly just a label, a fleeting whisper with no intrinsic power? When we dare to plumb the depths of this seemingly simple question, we unearth a profound truth: names—be they for people, objects, or hallowed places—are often burdened with an astonishing weight, brimming with hidden significance.

Names of People 

For individuals, a name is intrinsically linked to personal identity. It's often the first gift we receive and a fundamental part of how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us. 

Many names are deeply rooted in specific cultures, traditions, and historical events.  Names are frequently passed down through generations, creating a powerful sense of lineage and connection to one's ancestors. This is very true in Arabic culture and easily noticeable in names such as Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which also indicates the lineage - father's name, grandfather's name, and connection to ancestors through the family name.  HE Sheikh Hamdan is currently the Deputy Prime Minister as well as the Minister of Defense of the United Arab Emirates.  

Parents often choose names based on their meanings, hoping to bestow certain qualities upon their child. The Arabic name Hamdan means praiseworthy, highly praised, or the praised one. He is popularly known as prince Fazza, meaning "the one who helps" in Arabic.  Names subtly influence how people are perceived, impacting everything from perceived trustworthiness to career prospects. 

Names of Objects 

Beyond people, names are critical in branding and marketing. Names like "Apple" or "Google" are catchy, unique, and easy-to-remember that help brands to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Names are crafted to evoke specific emotions, qualities, or benefits; "Amazon" hints at vastness while "Duracell" suggests durability.  

In Dubai the brand name "Emaar" evokes the idea of building, development, and creating new urban spaces. The Emirates (airline), Al-Jazeera (news network), Almarai (dairy produce), and Al Arabiya (broadcasting) are among the best known Arab brands with consistent and reputable names that have built trust over time. In a competitive landscape, a distinctive name helps differentiate one product or service from another, creating a unique identity.

Names of Places 

My work on geospatial data standards for the Abu Dhabi government's Spatial Data Infrastructure program (2008-2014) introduced me to the subject of Toponymy. This discipline explores the names of places and geographical features, delving into their origins, meanings, uses, and classifications. It beautifully illustrates how geography, history, and culture are woven into the very fabric of city, river, and landmark names. 

For example, "Deira" in Arabic means "place," "home," or "dwelling" and Deira, one of the oldest commercial districts in Dubai, has a historical role as a place of settlement and trade. Al Barsha means plentiful and got its name because the place had a lot of trees, making the neighborhood look complete and beautiful. 

Similarly, "wadi" in Arabic translates to valley or riverbed, specifically to a dry riverbed that typically carries water only during periods of rain.  The most prominent wadi in Dubai is Wadi Hatta, located in the Hatta region. Wadi Wurayah is a 12,700-hectare wadi between Masafi, Khor Fakkan, and Bidiyah, known for its wetlands and designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. 

The name Jebel Ali, meaning "Mountain of Ali" in Arabic, originates from a historical association with a religious figure named Ali who is said to have resided on a high mountain in the area. 

Names of Metro Stations  

Since the purpose of  Dubai Metro is to get around easily from one location to the other, does it make sense to change the Jebel Ali metro station name to a name "National Paints" that has no inkling with a place name? 

Why does RTA change names of metro stations periodically? Metro stations having well known place names became just company names: Al Rashidiya became Centrepoint, Al Khail became Al Fardan Exchange, Al Fahidi became Sharaf DG, Khalid Bin Al Waleed became Burjuman, Dubai Marina/DAMC Properties became Sobha Realty, Al Karama became ADCB, Jebel Ali Industrial became Danube, etc.    

Dubai Metro's 2008 launch brought with it a brilliant and unprecedented strategy: monetizing metro station names. Described as a "world-first revenue model" for public transport, this initiative sought partnerships with well-known national and international companies to support the development of metro station infrastructure. 

To ensure high standards, the RTA has set clear rules for metro station naming rights. Only financially stable companies with an existing UAE presence, a clean ethical record, a long term commitment to Dubai, and a strong corporate social responsibility policy are eligible. 

The RTA's approach to generating revenue from metro station naming rights offers a model that could be replicated by other nations, particularly India, which is seeing a surge in new Metro rail developments in several cities. 

Names of Airports 

Interestingly, several major airports don't explicitly state their geographical location in their name. Their designations often come from diverse origins like cultural leaders, politicians, statesmen, public figures, ethnic groups, or mythological references. Here are some examples: 

• Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington DC
• Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi
• Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha
• Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in New Delhi
• Kempe Gowda International Airport (BLR) in Bangalore 
• O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago
• Schiphol Airport (AMS) in Amsterdam
• John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York

Metro Travel

We're all accustomed to using geographic names when traveling by train or car. However, for metro rail travel, we'll need to adapt to a new system: mapping place names to the specific company names adopted by metro stations. So, if you're traveling by Metro rail to a particular location, you'll need to know your destination station's name.  This is crucial, as the RTA's policy suggests metro station names will be updated from time to time.