Any time someone has to pronounce my name, or worse, I have to introduce myself to others, I wait for the cringe that follows every single time. It is always expected that someone who doesn't know me to be weirdly confused when they hear my name. Many times I have been asked to show proof that Tenley is my real name--trust me, it's on my birth certificate people. Having a strange name can be difficult at times, but we wouldn't change it--it makes us who we are. If you can relate, here are 10 signs you, too, were born with a weird name.

1. Strangers make you feel like an alien

The extremely shocked faces when I attempt to pronounce my name is by far some of the best moments. Sometimes people seriously think you made it up or you are just joking with them. Yes, that is our name. No, I did not just put a couple of random letters together.

2. Your biggest fear is having to introduce yourself ... Especially to people under the influence

It is obviously expected everyone will mispronounce your name so you just kind of brush over it and mumble hoping they won't think anything of it. Multiple times when someone mispronounces my name I just kind of go with it because it happens constantly. I also get sick of fixing people because it happens so much. This even applies to employers--my boss didn't know my name at one point for probably a year.

3. You've used different names when ordering food

When ordering food or making a reservation, I will use another name or someone else's name because I just don't want to deal with the additional confusion. (I will many times use the name Emily because it's just so much easier).

4. You have an extensive list of different ways people have mispronounced or spelled your name wrong

My list is around 100 ...

5. You get weirdly shocked when someone pronounces or spells your name correctly

There is a 1 and 100 chance that someone will spell or pronounce your name correctly. Those are the best people--thank you for giving us hope.

6. Meeting someone else with the same name as you is the coolest thing ever

I've met multiple people with my same name and it was clear we understood each other, pretty much that we understood each other's struggles. I have also discovered there is a website dedicated to people with my name and it's awesome (for those interested it is called mynameistenley.com).

7. Your name is a common conversation starter

You are never shocked when something that has to do with your name is the first thing people bring up. However, it definitely makes you more memorable and can work out in your favor in many cases.

8. People have asked you many times where you got your name

AKA what were your parents thinking? Or better, when someone asks if it is a family name--what they really mean is that they actually hate your name and aren't trying to be offensive, so they automatically assume you had no choice and that you were named after your great-great grandmother.

9. You expect people to mispronounce your name and you don't get offended anymore

During my short time on earth so far, I have learned that this is a common occurrence and have just come to accept it for what it is. While you may be known as the girl with the weird name, you have learned to embrace that title and everything that comes with it.

10. You wouldn't change your name for anything

Even though my name is extremely uncommon, I would never want to change it. While my name may never be on souvenirs at gift shops or no one will be able to pronounce or spell it, it is a large part of who I am and I love that I have such a unique name (Thanks, mom).