Your name is a song and everyone needs to know the lyrics before singing out loud.

Think about it. When you hear a name you associate it with a fitting identity. When you hear your name your attention is diverted , you obey the call and you invisibly serve your name like a queen wrapped in glittery velvet. When your name is mispronounced you don’t even blink an eye because intuitively speaking—“who do they think they’re talking to?” You might even get upset because how dare someone mispronounce your name that not only carries weight but is used to pay taxes every year (seriously that has to count for something right?).

The Silent Entity

Most of the time a name is like a silent entity because when you hear a name you start picturing a face, characteristics, and maybe a cadence to go with it. Maybe the name Holly  sounds like someone who loves cookies during Christmas and is a certified ginger. This may or may not sound like a product description for an American girl doll or the character of a cliche Hallmark movie that you hate to love.  Or the name Jade sounds like someone who is a certified badass that rejects rules like it was written in their birth DNA. Probably a thrill seeker if we’re being frank.  (The name guys, not Moesha’s dad). Sorry to all the Jades out there but it’s either Jade West from Victorious or Jade from Bratz that we’re automatically giving a graceful nod to. Funny how we give a whole identity to names because of the assumptions we make. I’ll admit—to this day I still associate some names with their own stereotypes. It’s like airing a show starring a girl named Brianna who is sweet and smart but naive as a can of soda. See how you already probably pictured that?

Pronunciation, Not Perplexion

Let’s pump the brakes and admit names aren’t hard to pronounce. You’re just lazy—as crap at that. If you can remember to brush your teeth or buy that 3rd pint of butterscotch ice cream, then a name should be no more than an easy feat for you. There’s a long standing history of names being butchered in corporate America. Names are not tough steaks that you keep chopping into to be digestible. You’ll end up having to floss out the bad habit of mispronouncing a name. We’ve seen the evidence of names on applications being tossed because it sounds too “ethnic” . It’s ok, we know they mean ghetto or in today’s term “Too DEI”. You know, a name that sounds like diversity, equity, and inclusion for individuals who have been discriminated against. I won’t give a full blown essay report but there are certain names that are swiped like a Tinder profile because it doesn’t fit the mainstream appeal of being safe. Your name is meant to summon you to a calling depending on how you respond. Never allow someone to suggest a nickname unless you’re comfortable. I recall my name always being mispronounced or downright being spelt out like a spelling bee because the pronunciation was a supposed tongue twister (thanks mom!). Then there comes the dreadful “Oh can I call you this?” Actually no you may not because if I wanted to be called that it would’ve been on my ID and birth certificate—and I can’t change my name unless I’m cool TSA stopping me like a vagabond . Not to mention that names are shortened to make the pronunciation palatable. Let your name be conspicuous with a mark on your identity. For example your name may be Rukiya (ROO-Kee-YAH) which means to ascend or rise up. If someone decided to shorten it to say “Ru” or maybe just “Kiya”— then you are allowing for your name to dilute who you are.Names aren’t weird nor a mouthful. It’s just an imaginary veil of respect that comes with pronouncing a name with intention rather than condescension . Say it right, it’s pretty simple. 

Names and Soul Contracts

Speaking of, names are significant because it may be tied to not only ancestral lineage but spiritual contracts as well. The letters in your name have a vibration that adds up to your destiny number that informs you of what you’re here to do. Say for example, your name has more letters, then you are most likely in the long haul for a life of karmic mission. Don’t be scared honey! Karmic lessons differ for everyone. Not to mention your name is heavily responsible for shifting vibrations. Remember what I mentioned earlier about names being rejected due to sounding too “ethnic” ? Yeah, this shifted a timeline of you not going into an environment that might have not only dimmed your light but unintentionally caused you to ritualize making your name consumable to fit in capsules that can’t handle weight. When your name is intentionally said wrong, this is a summon to withdraw any respect or identity from you. This just shifted to a vibration of being unseen and unheard. Correct your name like you’re a legend in the making. It’s not disrespectful , it’s power. You’re not a barcode, you’re a human with a name.

My Name Is..

My name is Sciadone and I’ve probably heard so many mispronunciations that I could have a larger file than the social security office of all the name variations. All those names alone weren’t mine, but unknowingly created its own identity. As soon as I hear “ske-ahh…”I imagine someone who is skilled at jiujitsu. When I hear “sha-sha…” I imagine someone who is timid and speaks softer than the waves at night. If I hear Donnie, I’m offended because that sounds like a stocky mechanic dude that also owns a pizza joint— and has a thick Queens accent! When I hear my name being spelled about like someone learning the jigsaw version of  ABCs, I feel like another body walking through the DMV waiting to be acknowledged. The point is— I had to learn to reclaim my name because every mispronunciation made me feel embarrassed to be addressed. I’m not some incognito figure zooming in grocery stores, and sending out mail. I’m Sciadone (Shi-dawn) , the one who loves all things art and eats chocolate ice cream with candy when I’m happy.  I used to think my name was a punishment because it sounded different and I was exempt from getting those cute accessories with your name on it (Claire’s has personally offended me but okay . My name is like the hard gum under a desk. No matter how much you try to hide the meaning under the surface—it’s here to stay and when you pronounce it correctly. You’ll always remember. Don’t be ashamed of your name not being appealable enough. Feel sorry for individuals who probably only see their name as a fading stamp rather than vibrant ink that doesn’t fade. 

 Now Do You Get It?

If you came here to be Jake from State Farm,then hey, go ahead. Or maybe a Katherine from HR (Whew, probably almost named Karen) then you honor your name. Seriously, your name isn’t just another word on file documents, it’s a sermon that needs to be said with reverence. Get the picture?

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