An Indian's name told the world what he was—a coward, a liar, a thief, or a brave. When I was young, every Indian had at least three names during his lifetime. His first name was given to him at birth. It described something that had happened at that time. Each Indian was supposed to keep his birth name until he was old enough to earn money for himself. But his friends would always give him a name of their own. No matter what his parents called him, his childhood friends would use the name they had chosen. The Indian earned his real name when he was old enough for his first fight against the enemy, his life name depended on how he acted during this first battle. When he returned he would be given his tribal name by the chief. If he had done well, he would be given a good name. But if he had done poorly, he might be given a bad name. A man was given many chances to improve his name, however. If in a later battle he was very brave in fighting against the enemy, be was given a better name. Some Indians had as many as twelve names all good and each better than the last. All names given to one Indian belonged to him for the rest of his life. No one else could use them. Even he himself could not give them away. This was because no man could pass on his name unless the chief and the tribe asked him to do so. According to the passage, Indian names were important because they ______.