My name has always been a topic of conversation. My first, Severin, is French, but my parents took it from the song "Venus in Firs". My last name is Sargent-Catterton. I know, a hyphenated mouthful. If you don't think that's enough, imagine a little 5-year-old saying "Severin Sargent-Catterton". Oof. However cynical I may be about my name, I still love it and won't change it for the world.

My parent's last names are pretty uncommon as it is. I have yet to meet someone with the last name of "Catterton", and I have only met one "Sargent". The memorability of names is so important in my field of performing arts and having a unique name aids to recognition. I do admit that my name gets confusing to many, even those who I have known for a long time. I don't mind it as much- these names can get pretty complex.

I really appreciate how my parents put together my name. To be honest (and no offense to anyone with these types of names), I'm not a fan of surnames of kids that take the name of the father. I realize that family lineage is important to some people. However, I think that hyphenated names are the way to go to honors both sides of the family tree. They don't disregard one name or put one name over another. When I asked my mother why my parents decided to combine their names, she looked at me and matter-of-factly said "why should we put one name over the other? How fair is that?".

I have adapted my name to myself- I don't think of myself as part of the mainstream, and my name certainly isn't. I love my unique name, and the meaning of equality behind it. I am not my father's child, not my mothers. I am my parent's child, and my surname certainly reflects that.