What's in a Name?!

Balatarin
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What's in a Name?!
by Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez
10-Sep-2009
 

There has been much ado about a person's name of late. Those that are anti-Arabic and/or anti-Islamic believe, nay almost demand that people should change their name to a more suitable choice. The one thing that has not been taken into account is that the name was given to them by their parents. For whatever reason those names had some value for them.

I must say that I take great delight in checking the meaning of names. Especially, when I know the person more closely because I want to see how close the meaning of their name matches the person's personality. Many times the names are extremely accurate. Kind of erie.

Now in my case my name is non-Arabic and/or non-Islamic. However, I will admit that I was not too fond of it as a child. To begin with my oldest cousin on my mother's side was named Natalia too. Her mother was less than thrilled when my parents chose to name me Natalia. However, my parents stood their ground. They believed it was my destiny. For you see both of their mother's were named Natalia. As I am first born the honor was bestowed upon me. Lucky me!

Now let us examine the meaning of my name which is Christmas child. I was born in February, talk about ironic. So, to me the only value of my name is that it belonged to my beloved grandmothers (may they rest in peace). Yes, they both were very happy to have me named Natalia. Especially, on my father's side. She believed me to be a beautiful child. As my Father mentioned to me, she remembered me on her death bed.

As you can imagine, having two Natalia's in the family caused great confusion to my cousin and I at first. It is how the many nicknames given to me began. I just learned to answer to whatever nickname, they chose for me. Well, so long as it was reasonable. My guy cousins could be rather ignorant at times as some young boys can be.

One thing that I had always wanted was to have a middle name. I always would play around with names to see how it would sound. Finally, I have found my favorite nickname which is Nadia. The meaning that I found was Hope. I like the sound of that. At first my family was taken aback by my choice but my mother is taking it very well. Actually, too well. She thinks that I should make it my first name. However, as I have gained wisdom, I have come to realize that I do cherish Natalia after all.

When it was time to name my sons, I decided that they would have a middle name. Actually, I have sort of a funny story about my sons names to tell. After I had Julio, his dad thought that he was to be named after his older brother. However, he was not around when they came to ask for the name. Hey! In my defense, I had a C-Section and I was very out of it. Julio is lucky he wasn't named Broccoli. Hahaha  Julio means July in English and he was born on the Fourth of July. Now, I am not sure what I was thinking when I selected his middle name. Imagine his father's surprise when he found out Julio's name. He had already told his family, friends and colleagues the other name.

Now, you would think that the man had learned, not to leave me alone after under going a C-Section before making sure his other son was officially named on the birth certificate again. Nope! Yes, I did it again! Now Arman's middle name is in honor of my mother's father. I am not sure why I chose Arman's first name. By the way Arman is the nickname that I gave him. The way I see it, if he can call me "Chiquita" (little one) then I can call him Arman. :o) At least his dad waited to announce his name. I guess, he did sort of learn.

So, as you can see that just because we don't like someone's name, there is a reason behind it. Might not have been a logical one. However, at the time it seemed like a good idea to their parents. To this day my sons are very grateful that they have normal names and question there father's logic in leaving a very sedated woman to select their names. :o) 

 

Balatarin
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more from Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez
 
Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez

Interesting

by Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez on Sun Sep 13, 2009 09:43 AM PDT

What would be the nickname for Persepolis

Cheers

ناتاليا


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AK69

A Person Makes The Name; Not The Name The Person Makes

by AK69 on Sun Sep 13, 2009 09:10 AM PDT

- I'm so Persian that I named my kid Persepolis!

Cheers!

 

AK69
MARG BAR JOMHURIYE ESLAMI-@
AK69


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Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez

I was just joking......

by Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez on Sun Sep 13, 2009 08:51 AM PDT

about the light house. I know what you meant.

Wow! Natalie Wood is popular with Iranians. I learn a new thing every day.

Gogoosh singing in Spanish with a Mariachi sombrero

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMKfUVnHSpQ


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Anonymouse

Armon does not

by Anonymouse on Sun Sep 13, 2009 06:51 AM PDT

Armon does not mean lighthouse.  It means belief or idelology in life.  Lighthouse is something you go towards whereas Armon is within you.

Your name is popular in terms of foreigners in Iran.  Also, the people here are familiar with the name Naataalie Wood :-)

Everything is sacred.


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Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez

RE: Shazde Asdola Mirza

by Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez on Sat Sep 12, 2009 08:16 PM PDT

sepaas

ناتاليا


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Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez

I see....a lighthouse

by Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez on Sat Sep 12, 2009 08:15 PM PDT

hahahaha Well, I am not telling Arman about the guiding light. I can just hear him with the jokes about needing to guide me. lol

 Mouse,

Thank you! It is a very thorough search of the name Arman. Actually, I do pronounce it Armon and not like Armani

So, my name is common in Iran?

 


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Shazde Asdola Mirza

You killed me with that one: Skype - LOL

by Shazde Asdola Mirza on Sat Sep 12, 2009 02:16 PM PDT

Your name is just lovely - as I am sure you are in person ;-)


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Anonymouse

"Natalie" ;-) Arman means belief or your guiding light in life.

by Anonymouse on Sat Sep 12, 2009 07:03 AM PDT

It mesns what you believe in and what guides you in life. It can also be beliefs although it is singular and Armon-how would be the plural. Or an ideology, can be religious too if you like :-)

First of all it is a boy's name like Muhammad or Ali or John or David.  It is also pronounced as Ar-mon, like Ar from Army and Mon from Monday.  So Armon.  How do you pronounce Arman? Is it like Georgio Armani without the i? If so, it has the same pronounciation.

Armon is also 100% pure red blooded Persian from Persian empire and no Arab (Islam, akh toof, spit ;-) influence as some psuedo freedom fighting i.comers would like to say! So there you go a very nice and honest to goodness Iranian name!

Also Iranians call you Naataalie not Natalie like A in your Khosh Aamadin.  They are just too lazy to say Natalie like in Niagra Falls :-) It is kind of a name that has been used in Iran, like it is a name of an Armenian bakery or a kind of cake in some bakeries ;-) 

Everything is sacred.


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maziar 58

.......

by maziar 58 on Fri Sep 11, 2009 04:45 PM PDT

ooh I forgot my name in persian means : ma, eezad ,yar (mazyar) the help(aid) of our god !!! or saul in latin or samuel in English ,

But I am niether one.  just Maziar  ! mucho gusto!


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yolanda

Dear Maziar 58,

by yolanda on Fri Sep 11, 2009 04:42 PM PDT

     Your story reminds me of Obama's middle name saga. It is sad that some people are sooooo ignorant and closed-minded! I think we should look beyond people's names and focus on the inner quality of a person. I hope your son is proud of his heritage!

Thanks for sharing your story!

yolanda


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yolanda

Hi Natalia,

by yolanda on Fri Sep 11, 2009 04:35 PM PDT

 Thank God it is Friday. We have a sweltering weather again! Muggy, just like the Texas Summer....Here is from your article:

Especially, when I know the person more closely because I want to see how close the meaning of their name matches the person's personality. Many times the names are extremely accurate. Kind of erie.

My 1st name means "easy-going and tolerant". Of course, my parents picked the name for me, I kind of like the meaning of my name. I hope I treat people right! The problem is that my 1st name sounds like a boy's name, which creates a lot of confusion. When I was in Hawaii, I accidentally saw the name "Yolanda" from a Spanish soap opera on TV. I kind of like it, 'cause it sounds feminine. I added "Yolanda" as my middle name when I came to California from Hawaii, so people know I am a girl. Nowadays, 99% of people call me by my middle name "Yolanda", only my parents call me by my 1st name.

take care!

yolanda


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Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez

Re: Maziar 58

by Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez on Fri Sep 11, 2009 02:47 PM PDT

Man I know what you mean. Arman would come home upset in Junior High because some ignorant kids would call him Armadilo. He hated his name soo much.

Now, as a university student, he loves his name.

paz a vosotros


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Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez

Mouse...I think it means

by Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez on Fri Sep 11, 2009 03:09 PM PDT

Army man or warrior. His middle name means priceless.

Julio's middle name means noble and bright. Still waiting for it to apply to him. hahahaha

Just joking! Julio is next to me right now. He says "No your not!" meaning moi.

Actually, you are right, on this web site they do tend to call me Natalie.

My French teacher would call me Nathalie.

 


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maziar 58

da name

by maziar 58 on Fri Sep 11, 2009 11:10 AM PDT

and the name calling game here in u.s of a;

my fathers' name is mohammad and my father in laws' Richard

so I named my son mohamad richard it was cool ,they would call him moe or rich.........

till he got to high school and 9/11 hit (which is today) and since then he refuses to respond to mohamed ,as you guessed it.  

paz su la tierra                                 Maziar


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Anonymouse

"Natalie" is what Iranians call you the most :-)

by Anonymouse on Fri Sep 11, 2009 06:18 AM PDT

Do you know what Arman means in Farsi?  Actually Armon but close enough. 

Everything is sacred.


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Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez

I just call you....

by Natalia Alvarado-Alvarez on Thu Sep 10, 2009 09:42 PM PDT


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