The name Pumpkin means “pumpkin”. Pumpkins are known for size and round shape. Names reflect characteristics like “Big Max”, color like “Orange Smoothie”, or use like “Jack-o’-Lantern”. They identify varieties within groups. Classic names include Jack, Pumpkin, Harvest, and Autumn. To be unique, consider size, shape, color, or personality. Famous pumpkins include Cinderella’s carriage or Jack and the Beanstalk’s Jack. Selecting a name is important. "Baby Huey" works for babies. "Brutus" connotes big and mean. Other cultures have names like Afrikaans "pampoen", Arabic "qara yábisah", Chinese "nan gua", Czech "tykev pimová".
Symbols of prosperity, pumpkins remind of Bible’s joy from God. Carved pumpkins symbolize Halloween. Mini pumpkins are gourds, like "Jack Be Little". Best cooking pumpkins include Casper, Cherokee Bush, Cinderella. Pumpkins come in orange, red, blue, white varieties. Sugar pumpkins are sweet, good for pies.
Jack-o-lantern is carved vegetable lantern for Halloween. Irish immigrants brought the tradition to America. Legend is about Stingy Jack not allowed into heaven when died. His spirit doomed to wander countryside, holding a lantern to light his way. The Irish carved scary faces out of turnips, representing “Jack of the Lantern”. In America, pumpkins were used, more plentiful than turnips in autumn.
Symbolism is to frighten evil spirits. Must bear a lantern when leaving home, hang one in front of the house. If someone comes, bribe with sweets – trick or treat.