The undeniable significance of names as a fundamental part of our identity truly struck me during a university lecture. My classmates and I eagerly answered a question about ourselves, skipping over the simplest detail—our names—until the lecturer pointed it out. Reflecting on that moment, I’ve come to understand why some individuals choose to legally change their birth names as they grow older. A name is for life, a defining feature of our personal brand and self-concept.
In addition to the undeniable fact that names carry deep significance, they are endlessly fascinating—especially where I’m from. On the downside, however, some of my compatriots’ names, often rooted in special events surrounding an individual’s birth or their parents’ personal experiences, become the subject of ridicule. Yet, I find it truly inspiring when people live up to names like “Brilliant,” for example.
This back-to-school season, I’ve been awing, hearting, and liking countless adorable pictures of first-graders in their crisp uniforms, shared by proud parents on social media. Sometimes, their names are visible on “First Day of School” signs they hold; other times, parents mention them in heartfelt captions celebrating the milestone. Occasionally, I find myself thinking, “Oh, that’s a unique one,” as I admire the thought behind each name.
Interestingly, during my early primary school days, I wasn’t fond of my short, English name. Compared to my classmates’ mostly native and often longer names, like Tinotendaishe, Rumbidzai, Tatenda, and Nyasha, mine felt plain and out of place. At the time, I didn’t even appreciate the convenience of its simple spelling. Passed down from my late paternal grandmother, my name was something I took for granted—until a high school teacher made a baffling comment. She casually remarked that she couldn’t understand why parents gave their children “sad” names.
Ruth? Sad?
To my surprise, others seem to share her sentiment—yikes!
Over time, though, I’ve grown to embrace my name. Curious about its meaning, I eventually researched it and discovered that it comes from the Hebrew word re’ut, meaning “friend,” “friendship,” or “compassionate friend.” Ever since, I’ve made it a point to live up to its meaning as best I can.
That said, I’m not fond of being called “Rute,” the Shona version of my name. Its biblical roots have also led to some awkward situations. I still remember a moment in primary school when a teacher, trying to identify troublemakers, singled me out, apparently expecting honesty… simply because of my name’s biblical association. The weight of that expectation was immense!
On a lighter note, I can’t help but chuckle whenever I come across dogs with mature human names like Geoffrey or Hamilton—especially when their mischievous antics hilariously contrast with the dignity of their names.