What is in a name, you may ask. My answer to that is, “Everything”.
My name is Gayatri, and it is pronounced as, Gaaa-ya-three. That in itself, condemned me to a life where nearly no one could pronounce my name right.
When I was born, my father held a consultation with my mother and his family on what to name me.
His family was of the opinion that I was to be named Karthiyayini after his mother (my paternal grandmother) since I was the eldest girl child in their family.
But, my father wanted to name me either Shalini (a name with the same first letter as my mum’s name) or Gayatri (a name with the same first letter as my dad’s name).
So, at the end, I was named Karthiyayini in the naming ceremony held in the temple, but, my name was given as Gayatri in all the official documents, including my passport.
And I’ve hated it since then.
From the time my maternal uncle made fun of it, saying it sounded like three cows. (Gaay = Cow in Hindi)
And the time in primary school, when my teacher couldn’t pronounce so Indian a name and called me Gay-tree. (#NRIProblems)
To the time in Year Seven, when my friends made fun of the shortened version of my name, Gayu, saying it sounded like ” Gay you.”
If there was anything I was insecure about, it was my name.
It always ended in someone teasing me about it and me crying at home, although I was too proud to cry in front of them and give them that satisfaction. (I still never cry in front of anyone, how much ever they hurt me. It’s always at night, in the darkness.)
Although my parents tried consoling me, by telling me that my name is beautiful, because it was the name of an Indian princess and also that of a mother goddess who protects the Universe. Also, the word in Sanskrit meant a ‘hymn’ or ‘prayer’ and one of the most powerful chants (prayers) in Hinduism is called the Gayatri Mantra.
Yet, none of this had any effect on me, scarred as I was, from all that intentional and unintentional teasing I’d garnered over my name.
But, now, I’ve learnt to live with it, even if I don’t like it excessively, I tolerate it.
Although, even now, if someone mispronounces it, I cut them off with a firm, “It is pronounced as GAAA- YA- THREE.”
P. S. Yes! I’m back! For now. Four of my five major exams are done, with the last one on April 11th. Once that’s done too, I’ll be done with school! Like totally.
March 30, 2014 at 5:06 pm
heheh π Talk about NRI problems. my name is so simple. A-Dee-Tee π (Aditi) and people still can’t say it right. i’m like ok call me A-Dee π and no. that also doesn’t happen. my parents were going to name me Meenakshi after my great grandmom π that didn’t happen. now my niece is named after her heheh though she has a different official name.
March 31, 2014 at 3:09 pm
You’ve a nice name. Short and sweet. π
I’m glad I wasn’t named after my grandmother though. I mean, if people cannot pronounce a three syllable name like mine, imagine the difficultly in pronouncing a five syllable one! π
March 30, 2014 at 5:07 pm
btw π I like gayatri mantra π and you have a nice name π
March 31, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Thank you! π
March 30, 2014 at 5:58 pm
I always have felt that if someone respects you and wants to really know you then they will learn how to pronounce your name correctly. If they are making fun of your name then they are being rude. Learn to love your name. Your name is a part of you and you are wonderful and awesome name and all.
March 31, 2014 at 3:10 pm
I did learn to live with it, ’cause I don’t really want to change it now. π
March 30, 2014 at 8:46 pm
Nice post, and happy holidays after ur last exam π
March 31, 2014 at 3:11 pm
Thank you! π
Although, I can’t really relax till May, with all college applications and all.
January 7, 2015 at 10:46 am
I can totally relate! My name is Dhvani and when I was in the States, they used to call me D-waa-nee. π¦ and even if they tried to pronounce it right, they just couldn’t and eventually i ended up identifying with that pronunciation. When I came to back to India, It was really weird hearing people pronouncing my name correctly! π
P.S. Your name is pretty π
January 7, 2015 at 4:39 pm
Unfortunately for me, quite a bit of people in India seem to mispronounce my name!
It’s more like I give up now. I don’t mind what people call me any longer.
You’ve a pretty name too! My cousin’s best friend is named Dhvani too!
January 7, 2015 at 5:09 pm
Wow! That’s unexpected! That makes sense…you’re more than your name π
Thanks! That’s cool about your cousin, I seem to share a very common name π