Hi, my name is Rachel. Or Jean, but I prefer my middle name: Rachel. The name Rachel seems to fit my personality more. Or so I think. Some of my friends say that I look more like a Jean. But how could a simple name represent so much of a person?

Names are powerful. A person’s name can influence what others assume about that person. For example, someone named Bob sounds like a very “normal” and straightforward kind of person while the name Vanessa gives off a sassy and dramatic feel. Of course, these assumptions can be wrong. I happen to know a Vanessa who is extremely calm.

Names stick to us forever, including nicknames. Nicknames can either be awful or awesome. Almost everyone has a nickname, whether it was created by family and friends or bullies. Nicknames add that special flair to people, though they can also ruin lives. Without a nickname, a person has to just be called their boring, normal name. Ugh…who would want that?

Names represent us. My name, Jean, is based off of my Korean name. When pronounced, my Korean name sounds very similar to the name Jean. So my name actually shows parts of my heritage. Could names get any cooler?

We each have only one name, not counting middle and last names, for our entire lives, so we have no choice but to love our names. And while we’re at it, take a moment to look at your parents and say, “Thanks for not naming me horribly!”