Writer's Block: By Any Other Name
If you could rename yourself in real life, what would you choose, and why?
I've actually thought about this question a lot at various points throughout my life. Names are such a fascinating thing. I completely forget about mine. Then, for reasons I can't explain, I'll remember that I have one. I'll be like, "I have a NAME! And it's Brenna." I even wrote a poem about it. Weird, huh? It's an empowering thing, really. Sometimes, when you interact with other people, you forget your own identity. Mean, self-centered, or rude people have a tendency to hasten the process. In those situations, it helps to remember your name.
I have to admit that I really like my name. Brenna is a unique enough name that only a few other people share it. It's a friendly name, but it's also feminine. Not to brag or anything.
Once I came across my parents' old baby name book. In the back, they had written a bunch of prospective names for me. There were the ordinary American ones like Melissa, more uncommon ones like Alana, and finally some VERY strange ones that I'd never seen before. I asked my dad about the weird names, and he said he got them by combining syllables from different words--in some cases, from completely different languages. Yeah, that's creative, Dad. But I'm glad you named me Brenna.
The only complaint I have about my name is that people seem to have trouble with it. When they first get to know me, they call me Briana or Brenda. Sometimes it's stretched further to Becca, Barbara, and so on. I don't mind for the first few times, but beyond that, it gets intolerable. Calling a person by the wrong name shows a complete lack of respect for their individuality and entire being. Think I'm wrong? Let's see how you would react if I persisted to call YOU by the wrong name. It's not fun.
To sum up, I like my name and wouldn't change it. My last name, too, is pretty cool. I've already got a pen name, that's for sure.
I've already thought about naming my kids (scary as that is). I like the names Summer, Natalie, Natasha, and Monica for girls. Maybe Autumn, too. Boys' names are a little more difficult for me. So far, my favorite is Toby. My ADORABLE new dog is named Simon, and it fits him very well somehow. He's so cute and friendly and well-tempered, but he's a topic for a different post. Time for dinner.
I've actually thought about this question a lot at various points throughout my life. Names are such a fascinating thing. I completely forget about mine. Then, for reasons I can't explain, I'll remember that I have one. I'll be like, "I have a NAME! And it's Brenna." I even wrote a poem about it. Weird, huh? It's an empowering thing, really. Sometimes, when you interact with other people, you forget your own identity. Mean, self-centered, or rude people have a tendency to hasten the process. In those situations, it helps to remember your name.
I have to admit that I really like my name. Brenna is a unique enough name that only a few other people share it. It's a friendly name, but it's also feminine. Not to brag or anything.
Once I came across my parents' old baby name book. In the back, they had written a bunch of prospective names for me. There were the ordinary American ones like Melissa, more uncommon ones like Alana, and finally some VERY strange ones that I'd never seen before. I asked my dad about the weird names, and he said he got them by combining syllables from different words--in some cases, from completely different languages. Yeah, that's creative, Dad. But I'm glad you named me Brenna.
The only complaint I have about my name is that people seem to have trouble with it. When they first get to know me, they call me Briana or Brenda. Sometimes it's stretched further to Becca, Barbara, and so on. I don't mind for the first few times, but beyond that, it gets intolerable. Calling a person by the wrong name shows a complete lack of respect for their individuality and entire being. Think I'm wrong? Let's see how you would react if I persisted to call YOU by the wrong name. It's not fun.
To sum up, I like my name and wouldn't change it. My last name, too, is pretty cool. I've already got a pen name, that's for sure.
I've already thought about naming my kids (scary as that is). I like the names Summer, Natalie, Natasha, and Monica for girls. Maybe Autumn, too. Boys' names are a little more difficult for me. So far, my favorite is Toby. My ADORABLE new dog is named Simon, and it fits him very well somehow. He's so cute and friendly and well-tempered, but he's a topic for a different post. Time for dinner.