But a Name…

Written by: Barah

“How do you pronounce it?”

“What does it mean?”

“It sounds weird..”

“What kind of name is it?”

“Isn’t it a guys name?”

I grew up embarrassed by my own name.

I hated my name.

Not because of what it was, not because of what it meant, but because I did not understand the value and beauty of it.

Growing up in a country where my name wasn’t familiar meant no one could pronounce it. No one knew what it meant. No one has ever heard it before. I didn’t want it; I felt so out of place. I always wanted to change it, and I always tried to tell others to call me by a name that wasn’t mine.

On top of that, I was given a name that is generally given to males, just changed to the female equivalent.

Yet my name holds a heavy and beautiful meaning. In Arabic, it is a primary word for innocence. It is also mentioned in the Qur’an, and that alone led me to love it.

In the end, I found that learning more about my name was they key to loving it and being proud of it, rather than embarrassed by it. And this is something I’ll make sure to teach my son, whose own beautiful name hods deep meaning. I want him to understand that he doesn’t  need to please others by changing his name to something easier for them to pronounce. Your name is important.

My name is Barah (براء), and it’s a name I identify with proudly. ✊?