What Makes My Name So Special?

My name is Ekaterina. Although I go by my nickname, Katya, I still stay true to my real name. It has a Russian background. The meaning of Ekaterina is "pure". It is a very popular name used in the countries of Russia and Bulgaria. Pronounced like: ye-kah-tye-REE-nah or ee-kah-tee-REE-nah, many Americans have trouble pronouncing it. Thus, I use Katya instead, because that is the common nickname associated with Russians or Bulgarians. It is also easier for Americans to pronounce. Upon researching the etymology, I found out that it could derive from the early Greek name Hekaterine which came from Hekateros meaning "each of the two". Another origin is from the name of the goddess Hecate. In the early Christian era, it was associated with the Greek katharos meaning "pure". The Latin spelling changed from Katerina to Katharina to show this. I always like to brag to people and say I was named after the Great Empress of Russia, Catherine the Great. I would say that my name defines my character a lot. According to Merriam-Webster's definition of pure it states, "clean and not harmful in any way". For those that know my personality, I think it's safe to say that my personality reflects that definition clearly.

                   http://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-didnt-know-about-catherine-the-great

With my name, I believe that I have a unique situation. I can either choose to be Ekaterina, a person with ties to Russian culture or I can choose to be Katya, a girl that everyone knows me best as. It is for me to decide which individual I choose to be. Frankly, I don't think it matters just as long as people accept my personality. In my opinion, your personality is something that defines you more as an individual rather than your name. Considering my real name versus my nickname, you could say that there have been times that I am two people. In the case of Anna Quindlen, she was given a name at birth that she chose to change when she grew up. Thus, she consequently became a new person when she changed her name.

Ekaterina was a name that was given to me at birth and I am quite the opposite from Anna Quindlen. I cherish my name. I honestly think that it is the most beautiful name that could ever be given to a girl. I feel as if my name fits me perfectly. Not to mention, it defines my cultural background. When thinking about it, this is the name I use for anything official--whether it's applying to college or registering for an exam. It is the name the world knows me by. On the other hand, Katya is like my leisure name. This is the "part" of a larger whole. People like to use Katya because it is a cool-sounding name and easier to say. I, myself, like the fact that it is only five letters long and love that it is also a pretty name. Katya is the girl that everyone grew up with--whether it's my brother, cousins, friends, or family. She is the name that is forever encouraged to be pronounced by teachers, classmates, and adults upon first meeting. Although I can relate to Anna Quindlen in saying that my name never appears on those key chains at the beach, I can say that I will never dislike the name I have been given. In fact, I don't see having two names as a dilemma at all. The way I like to think of it, is that this makes me unique. Yes, I am aware that my name is different from Americans' but I don't even notice it as an issue. When people hear my name, the first thing that comes out of their mouth is "Wow, what a cool name! Where is it from?" I don't ever hear anything bad about my name. Thus, I like to think that my name is special and that is why I will never change it.

Works Cited

"Pure." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pure>.

Campbell, Mike. "EKATERINA." Behindthename.com. Mike Campbell, 2014. Web. 21

      Sept. 2014. <http://www.behindthename.com/name/ekaterina>.

"Othering" in Society

From Father and Sons, The Springs, California
Inside The Springs (2007)
Wing Young Huie
Accessed 9/7/2014