The Meaning of My Name

What is in a name?  Does your name change who you are?  If you had a different name, would that fundamentally erase who you would have been and created someone new?  I think about these sorts of things once in awhile, usually when I am sitting in an excruciatingly boring staff meeting someplace. 

My mother named me Tina after the actress Tina King of the King family.   I was not named Christina or any other named to be shortened, just Tina.  If looking in a dictionary of baby names, Tina is from the Old English and means river, which I find curious.  My name is also associated with Christianity, and in that aspect is supposed to mean strength. 

So I am a strong river?  Not with my bladder.

The Urban Dictionary defines my name as meaning "little one".  Which is true--I'm only 5'3".  There's more: "Derived from Latin. Competitive - a leader, independent, strength, creative and original. A refined intellectual, a woman who's studious, analytical and very research oriented . . ."  While I am definitely independent, intellectual, and strong, I wouldn't say that that I am very original. I've met tons of strong and independent women.  I'm also not competitive about most things.  (My name also appears to be a reference to meth, oddly; unless they are referring to the drug's volatile and explosive tendencies. I do have a bit of a temper.)

I also looked up my name on a weird website called the Kabalarians.  I guess they are interested in the Kabala?  (Well, either that or it's some cult--if I disappear or start spouting weird stuff and asking for money, you'll know which one.) This site says that I am very strong willed, which is true. But it also says that I desire leadership.  Not so much.  I'd much rather be the second in command,

The consistent theme, across these websites is that I am a strong and independent person.  I think my name does suit me in that regard.  Following the crowd has never been easy for me.  I've always preferred to go my own way.  As for strong, I have always seen myself as a survivor.  I've survived many things that would have put others in therapy, and killed a few.  I'm still here, scars on display. 

I don't think I'd be as adaptable if my father had had his way and I'd been named Bernadette.



5.) The meaning of your name...does it suit you?