A couple thoughts: In the Bible's Old Testament, the name of God was abbreviated and not even fully written out for fear and reverence of it. In the New Testament, followers of <PERSON> preach that "there is no other name by which we can be saved". Also, in Revelation, <PERSON> promises to give to anyone who overcomes a secret name known only to that person and <PERSON>.
I take these meanings to be related to the fact that a name is an expression of a person's character and nature. This includes their power but also who they are.
I am not an expert but I can imagine people invoking the names of gods and demons that they follow in order to gain their power. Unfortunately, that may mean also gaining some of their other character traits...
I would guess that the turning of the name into a secret key to command that power is a later invention. It seems less likely to me that an ancient man would believe he could command supernatural forces with a secret password than a modern man believing it. To the ancient world, spirits and demons were explanations of the caprice of the universe, and I do not think most people believed they could be coerced except by the help of a stronger supernatural power. But I could be wrong. 674
I suppose there were witch doctors then as today. But I wonder if (then and today), they see themselves as controlling or invoking a power. My guess is the latter. Again, could be wrong.
Another aspect of the use of a name as a key to command is related to the name as a representation of someone. In my mentioned example from Revelation, I believe this refers to the relational intimacy of having something good within oneself that is a secret between one and God. When someone else knows who you truly are, that creates intimacy and vulnerability. And vulnerability is something that can be exploited, if trying to exploit things for power is your deal.
So, perhaps knowing something's true name is intimately knowing it so that you can exploit that intimacy to exert power over it and control it.
I might add that that sort of plan doesn't tend to win friends or influence people in the long run. Unless, I suppose, you're <PERSON>. 140