When you are born into this world, all you are is a human infant. Another person that takes up time, space, and energy. The first indication a new born baby gets is their gender, and then the newest edition to this world is given a name. Something that we use every day, but never realize how important it is until someone messes it up. A name is a hard decision to make. Once you’re given a name, that’s it; it’s yours. As a young child, you grow into your name. It’s like breaking in your favorite pair of shoes, and you get to keep them all your life. The fun begins when you realize you can create other names from your name. Nicknames can be so much fun, and they can also define your character tremendously.
For example, my name is Andrea and I love my name. I am not the type of person that feels that my name needs to be changed. I love how my name sounds, and I love the ways it’s pronounced. But there is definitely one thing I can’t stand when it comes to my name, and it’s when people pronounce it wrong. My name is pronounced how it is spelled, very simple and easy. When someone pronounces my name wrong, and tries to convince me that the wrong pronunciation is better I tend to get a little annoyed. Instead of having to listen to people say my name wrong, I was given a nickname. It’s a very simple and easy nickname, Andy. Since birth I have been called either Andrea or Andy, and I love to hear both.
Recently I have taken it upon myself to make a change to my name. Once again, it is a very simple and easy change; instead of Andy with a “y” I changed it to Andi with an “I”. Of course my family became confused, but accepted it with no issue because it’s my name. My grandmother told me that she also did the same thing. Her name is Anna with two n’s. But when she was first given her name, it only had one n. When she became an adult she decided to use n’s instead of one.
That started to make me think about the importance of a name to an individual. It may not seem important to you because you use it so much in everyday activities. You hear it non-stop and at times it may get really annoying to hear your name so much. But it’s your name, and it’s wonderful to think that your name holds power to it. Even if someone shares the same name with you, they aren’t the same person as you. Your name when mentioned by another person creates memories, emotions, ways for a person to know that it’s you. If you decide that you aren’t fully happy with your name, make a nickname. What you choose to go by is what others will call you. Just remember, while names hold a huge importance in your identity, they should be the two following words; simple and easy.
