A Name...
Recently I was asked what my name means to me. I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders. I thought it was a stupid question.... until I thought about it a bit more.
My name actually does mean a lot to me.
My name was Cheryl until I was 9 years old. I still felt that I was Cheryl. Nora was so foreign to me.
Nobody really ever called me Nora until I was actually 17.
When I came to Egypt when I was 17 is the first time people knew me as Nora. It was weird. I jumped on a plane on one side of the Atlantic and I was called Cheryl... when it landed on the other side of the Atlantic I was Nora...
I was a person and somewhere over the Atlantic I changed into a completely different person. My personality changed on that flight also!
I also noticed that Nora is the Americanized version of Noura. So, my name is American and Egyptian... just like I am.
I also don't use my father or grandfather's names in my name which is standard practice in Egypt. I guess that is similar to how I try to exclude my family from as much of me and my life as possible.
I am more comforable being called Cheryl. Most times Nora still feels foreign and strange. It feels like someone else's name. When I hear it I will answer... but I still don't feel like it is me. I guess this reminds me of how I am more comfortable with the American part of me. The Egyptian side of me and the Egyptian-ness in my life at times feels foreign. I live the life.. but it does not feel like mine sometimes.
I want to associate my name with happiness and smiles. I want to be one of those people that when you think about them you just smile. I don't want to leave anyone with a negative thought associated to my name....
That is how my name represents me...
I never thought about it before now. I am quite surprised.
Now the question makes sense to me... my name does mean a lot to me and about me!
So, think about it. What does your name mean to you? How does your name identify you? What do you want to associate you name with?
I would love to hear your answers... post them here or e-mail me!!!
posted by Nora @ 11:59 PM
6 Comments:
I understand what you mean. Mira's middle name - because she was born in the US - is Therese. We were ok w/ this until we moved to Egypt and went with Hassan's name as her middle name on her passport. So she too identifies with two names -Mira Therese in the US and Mira Hassan in Egypt.
For me, I never liked my name. I always felt I was given the ultimate Catholic name from my parents, reflecting their religiosity, but being in Egypt has made it easier since people call me Maryam. It's fine now.
That explains why Mira did not think it is weird that I changed my name....
Do you think she feels differently when she is being called one name from when she is being called a different one?
So, you prefer being called Maryam? How do you feel about the name your parents gave you? Did it reflect you at any point in your life?
well it's simple, my name is luli, it's not jaylan. I wanted to change it on my birth certificate but didn't coz my dad would be pissed.
Now i could do it, but i got used to jaylan so it's a habit now.
i hate it when people call me it, and noone in my friends of family dares to use it - unless they want a smack on the head.
so as you can see, it's simple.
i am confused, should i call you nora? noura? orr cheryl? i am cool with either one of them
Ok...
So, what does Luli mean to you? Why do you hate Jaylan so much?
Hmm.. I am confused also... Call me whatever.. but not Noura!
:o)
I never knew you had another name!!!! It's so strange to be called 2 names so I can imagine the reason why you would relate to one more than the other...
Yet i think it would take me a while to get used to calling you Cheryl coz from day 1 I met you I've only known you as Nora, so please bare with me while I take my time to get used to that..
n about ur sex-related posts i find it really frustrating that nearly EVERYONE of the gurls wants 2 sit & discuss these issues with me coz i just got married...
I'm not really comfortable with that at all!
I dont mind speaking about the issue with someone who is open minded & actually discusses the issues not just wants 2 know "hah ba2a what happens? did it hurt? how did it feel?"
Like I would feel comfortable discussing with you the Egyptian stereotypes & try to attempt to answer all the things you mentioned in your post or at least have fun trying to understand wut goes on in men's minds... but i wouldnt feel comfortable discussing it with people who dont even want 2 discuss such topics in general, but want 2 know about my case in specific!
Lets do that talk sometime when you are back...
and EnJoY your time with your family :)
Soad,
Not a lot of people in Egypt know that I changed my name.. Buut, I am fine with people calling me Nora babe.. so go right ahead and don't strss it..
I'd love to meet up with you when I get back. That should be beginning of August.. might postpone it a week or so.. but we'll do it as soon as we get back!
Miss you...
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