A name is the basis of a person’s identity, the first description attached to them when they enter the world. Every person is unique, and sometimes this means having a unique name. A name can have all sorts of origins, from accidents to very intentional choices.
“Well, my name is actually an accident because my dad … he was born in Mexico, and so … my original name was supposed to be Gabriela,” Gavriela Perezsalvador (10) said. “But when he was writing my name on the certificate, he wrote it in Spanish. So it was Gavriela.”
Having a unique name often comes with unique experiences. Unfortunately, not all of them are positive. Because people are unfamiliar with certain names, they can mispronounce them or worse.
“When I was in elementary [school], I would get bullied a lot because you know how kids don’t know how to react to an uncommon name,” Azul Gutierrez (10) said. “So, they would make up little other names … and they would call me ‘Baby Blue’ or whatever just to make fun of me.”
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Aside from contributing to personal identity, names usually have broader connections to family history. This is most commonly manifested in last names that are passed down or exchanged through generations. There can also be traditions where certain first or middle names are shared in a family or traditions where unique names are bestowed on each new relative.
“My uncle’s name is … Luis, so he was named after his grandpa,” Gutierrez said. “My other uncle’s name is Valentine, which like you could associate with Saint Valentine’s Day because in Spanish it’s San Valentín … So I think he was named after the saint of love.”
Because of the sense of identity attached to names, having a unique name affects people’s perception of themselves. Having a unique name can reaffirm a person’s sense of individuality and connection to one’s family.
“Anneliese means I am unique and no one has my name, and I like having a unique name,” Anneliese Wilkinson (12) said. “[My middle name] Kay means I am part of my family and I have something in common with my aunt … and Wilkinson means I’m also a part of Dad’s family.”
Feeling “different” in any sense can present challenges; however, it is important to see the beauty in every aspect of oneself. This is no exception when it comes to names. Protecting a name protects everything it represents: identity, family and life experiences.
“If you have a unique name, don’t be too shy to, you know, tell everybody or speak up when somebody mispronounces your name, because that’s really important, especially when people are trying to get to know you,” Perezsalvador said.