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What’s in a Name?

9 comments

Posted by: Veronica Henry on January 7, 2008 Under: Discussion Lounge, Sierra Leone, USA



Long before I traced my African Ancestry, I had a love and hate affair with my name. I can’t deny the pride I felt at the myriad of family reunion’s I’ve attended over the years…all of us gathered to celebrate our family, our history (the little we knew), our ability to come together no matter how far away we’ve traveled. By contrast, I also can’t deny that burning sensation in the pit of my stomach that tells me this name really isn’t mine at all.

Will changing my name make me even more of an outcast? Is the name really central to that family celebration or is it our connection that matters most? I wonder, still.

You see, there is no escaping the fact that I know the name was one that was given to my earliest and most oppressed ancestors. This hit home for me one day while waiting on my Chinese take-out order - no, I, like so many of my contemporaries, don’t like to cook either. Anyway, I digress. When the man at the counter called out the name for the next order, I instantly rose…right along with the White man sitting next to me.

I felt a flash of anger so intense I could have slapped his face (but luckily, I didn’t). You see, I realized that there was a very distinct possibility that his ancestors owned mine and it angered me so badly, it was all I could do to scowl at the poor man when he made a good natured joke about the mix-up. I wasn’t feeling the joke then and I don’t now.

I have contemplated changing my name, especially after discovering my true Sierra Leonean lineage. Only, I wonder if this would somehow offend my US family. Actually I don’t wonder, I think the answer is probably yes. There may be a few that understand the calling, the yearning I feel to be someone other than who I was assigned to be, but I fear that largely my family just won’t get it.

I’ve gotten suggestions from some of my African brothers and sisters on appropriate names, have even narrowed it down to a few I really like, but have yet to take that step. Frankly, I’m not sure if and when I will.

So, I ask you, what’s in a name?

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9 comment(s)

  1. mypenmypaper | Jan 8, 2008 | Reply

    theres nothing in a name. A name is a name, plain and simple. It adds no value to the person who bears it. There are many people with good names who dont live up to the name. And a lot of people are there who have turned a formerly non-existent name to a household name.

    note, there are names, and there are Names.

  2. Omotaylor | Jan 8, 2008 | Reply

    @mypennymypaper - “note, there are names, and there are Names”. This phrase of yours seem to confirm that there is Something in a name.

    I believe some names could influence some people’s destiny, while some could be affected by reactions to their type of names. In the Xtain world, no child would say “thank you” if you name them “Judas”. Many children called Damien are finding grief from people after the film series Omen 1,2,3.

    I was made fun off a lot when growing up for being a Taylor (which my mates quickly turned to “Tailor”. But it never bothered me for I was and still am so proud of the name although foreign. Because its not been tainted, never felt like a change.

    This is not just about foreign names. In Nigeria a lot of people will not like to be calld “Oyenusi”, because of a notorious armed robber that was executed decades ago (even if there are no family ties). Many with the prefix “esu”, meaning “the devil” have been known to adopt new names, and I can go on and on.

    Whats in a name? There could be something in a name, but what does it matter if it does not cause grief? The yorubas have an adage that says “oruko a ma ro enia”, “meaning one is affected by what name you are called”. If adversely affected, you wont think twice before changing it and wont even want to ask the question.

    If purely for racial reasons i.e. to identify with your roots, instead of completely dropping a name that had not caused offence of affected your destiny for so many years, ypu could add on to it like my lecturer of long ago did when he decided to bear (okafor-newson). But then maybe like the then James Ngugi, now Ngugi-Wa-Thiongo, any reminder of the colonial master could be offensive.

    I agree with mypenmypaper on one point, whatever name you bear, turn it into an enviable (not hated) name.

    Lastly, many Africans bear “Veronica” (my aunty Vero being one), and thousands bear “Henry”, my friend is one. So I guess you have nothing much to worry about VH.

  3. Misi | Jan 8, 2008 | Reply

    Well said Ms. Omo-T you took the words right out of my mouth, @my pennypaper your last sentence contradicts what you have said. I am a strong believe in the yoruba adage quoted by Ms. Omo-T and I also believe that a person’s name does determine their destiny and thus should be selected with the utmost care because no one wants a name that is synonymous with evil or disaster.
    However with that said– Veronica Henry if you want to change your name simply because you believe it will make you feel closer to your heritage then I would suggest you should not bother since it is not the name that makes you African but your ways. I know plenty of Oluronkes and Ngozis out there who do not know a thing about their heritage.
    On the flip side if you want to change your name as a response to your ancestry sufferings then go ahead but just remember one thing as long as you continue to live outside Africa, bearing an African name will be the waken of new prejudices against you.

  4. Omotaylor | Jan 9, 2008 | Reply

    Just had to come in here again. Changing your name will not necessary change you or peoples reaction/feel towards you. Being yourself, retaining your name, identifying with your “real” race, assisting with philanthropical projects that can help your African country, visiting as much as you can and setting something up there that would turn your VH name into an African household name for posterity: these are all ways you can change your name to identify with your ancestral spirit. Sorry I meant “feel”.

  5. pamela stitch | Jan 9, 2008 | Reply

    Hmm, this is deep.

    Names are indeed very important. I believe you should change your name only when you feel comfortable enough with that change.

    Or alternatively, you can have the best of both words by unofficially adopting an African name. Many people do so. :)

  6. Veronica | Jan 10, 2008 | Reply

    Hi everybody and thanks for the comments. I think what I feel stems from the fact that many African Americans (notice I did not say all), still bear the names of people that enslaved their ancestors. Yes, time has passed, but something about it just seems, well, vile. So in that sense, mypenmypaper, I think a name can and does have meaning, even if it’s relegated to the subconscious.

    But I completely understand and agree with Ms. Omo-T and Misi, my actions will probably speak louder than my name, and it doesn’t hurt that I share the name with your aunty either :-)

    Pamela, thanks for your suggestion, may not be a bad idea to unofficially adopt a name.

    Still, I have not come to a final decision. This is one that I shall have to ponder a bit more.

  7. Omotaylor | Jan 10, 2008 | Reply

    You are welcome. I pray whatever your choice of action, it gives you peace of mind and hapiness.

  8. Quinn | Jan 13, 2008 | Reply

    There were some days I hated my name but not for the reason you have. You make your name. You have no control over other Henrys or your past. Just your future. I have thought about hyphenating my name to add my mothers maiden name since that one is more prestigous in some areas. Why not? My dads family has not helped my as much and here I wear their name. Maybe I will hyphen when I get married. I’m a guy who says I can’t. Would you? A name is a first impression without even being met. My name is unique and easy to remember for many while I have trouble remembering names. What fun. Good Luck with your decision.

  9. Veronica | Jan 14, 2008 | Reply

    Hi Quinn,

    Thanks for your comments, interesting to hear everyone’s perspective on this. Also agree, that if you want to hypen your name, who says you can’t. I’m all for challenging some of these long standing traditions. :-)

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