Throughout the book, we learn more about Stanley's family history. Readers find out that his great-great-grandfather was known as "Elya Yelnats," and he suffered from bad luck or a "curse" that he eventually passed down to his descendants. The name Yelnats is formed by taking the letters from "Stanley" backward, which symbolizes the repeated misfortune that plagues Stanley's family throughout the story.
By choosing this particular name and spelling for the protagonist, the author emphasizes the central theme of the book: overcoming adversity and breaking free from inherited or perceived curses or negative patterns. As Stanley encounters various challenges at Camp Green Lake, he also learns about his family history and the possibility of breaking the cycle of bad luck. The name "Yelnats," therefore, becomes a symbol of the book's core message about personal growth and resilience in the face of hardship.