Name is defined as “a word or set of words by which a person, animal, place or thing is known, addressed, or referred to.” However, this is a very technical definition of what a name truly is. I think in this day and age where we have so many nicknames, Facebook and Tinder profiles, Snapchat titles, etc. the importance of a name has been reduced. These last few months I have been introduced to hundreds of people through my internship, new classes, friends, and by just meeting strangers. And my favorite piece of information is knowing why they got their names. We should pay more attention to these stories because they mean something.
In my years before college, there were many students in my classes from overseas who took American names instead of keeping their original ones. We were told it allowed them to acclimate better to America and made it easier for us to remember and pronounce their names. I never truly saw the problem with it because they never told me the names they were given at birth, so I believed they all approved of their American names. However, since I have come to college I have had many of the international students insist on actually being called their birth names. They were fine with their American names when they were younger, but as they grew up, they insisted on being referred to by their given names. When you think about it, is that not the simplest thing we all wish for? We wish for this because a name is so much more than just something people can call out to us. It's more complex than that.
My name is Anneke. Pronounced ahn-neh-KUH. My name is spelled the way it is because I am of Dutch descent. I was originally supposed to be named Marijke after my Oma, but due to some name fights, my parents chose Anneke. My mom wanted me to have a unique name and a name that represented our heritage. A name everyone would remember. My name means Gracious or Grace of God. My name belonged to an aunt on my mom’s side of the family who lived in Holland, and it's engraved in a family bowl with my Oma’s and my aunts.
I have nicknames, but I never really found an attachment to them. My name has history and meaning, my name has a story, my name was given to me for a reason. My parents are proud of my name, so I wish to be called it—it's as simple as that. Every time my teachers mispronounce my name, many of them just overlook it. No, I don’t feel uncomfortable correcting them 15 times over. My name, when spoken to my parents, brings the biggest smile to their faces. My name, when spoken to my enemies, makes them tremble in their boots. When spoken to my baby brother, my name inspires him to be the best he can be. When spoken to my friends, it makes them burst out in laughter from all the shenanigans I pull. My name is full of life and my name is my story.
We too often underestimate the power and meaning of a name. The name someone was given means so much to not only them, but everyone in that person’s life. A name is filled with memories and power. I encourage you to learn the meaning behind everyone's names. Even your own name if you don’t already know it. That story is probably the most defining factor you will ever learn about yourself. Embrace it.
