Weekend: Names

As I've been sitting here doing a few things, Tyra is on in the background. Today she is discussing names and automatic reactions people might have to hearing certain names. Ethnic names, names that may indicate a certain socio-economic status and names that "fit" a certain type of person.

Most of us already know all of that. What interests me is how many people choose their own names. I know several people who have chosen their own names because the ones they were given didn't feel right to them. Gloria to Jamila, Sakhone to William, Linda to Astra - It goes on and on.

My name was chosen by someone else who is not related to me. Chani is a diminutive for Chanakarn which means "darling of all the people." Clearly the name doesn't fit but the purpose of the name is to draw that to me. It is supposed to bring a more outgoing spirit to me so that perhaps one day I will be "darling of all the people."

The origin, obviously, is Thai and came about because I am an extreme Thaiphile who identifies with that country and culture. I feel very connected to it. It rings true inside of me.

I wasn't content to have it as a nickname. I chose to legally change it. The name I was given at birth truly doesn't fit me and I feel no connection to it. When I was divorced, I didn't choose to go back to my birth name. I still use my ex-husband's last name.

Knowing all of this, I don't pay much attention to names in terms of guessing something about someone because of their name, although I understand many still do.

It's often seemed logical to me to have a naming ceremony for children and allow them to choose their own names at a certain age. While names are mostly window-dressing, it's still nice to have one we choose and feel good about.

I'm curious to know: If you chose a name for yourself, what would it be?

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