Growing up with a unique name no doubt can make people feel different. Although it makes you roll your eyes a little more than usual, there is nothing like embracing your awesome unique name you were given! Here are just a few of the struggles people with a unique name go through on the regular.

1. The first day of classes are brutal.

Most of us are already anxious because we have to go back to school from summer break not remembering how to use a pen, and now we have to worry about the awkwardness that comes with teachers pronouncing your name. It is a given that you know your name is next in the roster because you can see the professor pause and make a weird face before saying the next name. This leaves you to slowly raise your hand while saying your name to save him the embarrassment.

2. Ordering at Starbucks always results in a misspelled and mispronounced name.

There is always that moment of panic when you're standing in line waiting to order your Grande Iced Caramel Macchiato, and in your mind you are contemplating saying your real name or just giving your nickname. Low-key you know your contemplating because you want to instagram or snapchat a picture of your Starbucks drink. Either way, you can’t. Talk about a #StarbucksFail.

3. Meeting new people results in sharing your life story.

Oh, the adventures of meeting new people. You will never have something to not talk about, because your name is the subject of attention. The first reaction is, “Wait, how do you say that?” or if people are trying to be really nice, “What a unique name. That is beautiful.” After this first initial reaction you will be asked, “What is that?” “What ethnicity are you?” “Where are you from?” “What does your name mean?” The conversation normally ends, and you realize that this random stranger knows your life story, and you don’t remember their name.

4.No hope in ever finding a souvenir with your name on it.

There is nothing like going on vacation with your family and wanting to buy one of those super cool keychains with your name on it. The only problem is that after searching the entire wall (even in letters that do not start with your name) you are left keychain-less and disappointed. Maybe next time!

5. You've resorted to going by a shorter, easier name.

Everyone with a unique name is different. Some like to go by something easier and some like to stick with their full name, but you undoubtedly have a few short nicknames. Don’t forget about those occasions someone else has used something other than your name and said, “Can I just call you (insert name that is not yours), because it will be a lot easier to remember!”