The odds have to be astronomical.  In fact, it almost sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but I can guarantee you it’s not.  Out of the 18 students I went through 12 years of school with, there were 2 named Charles, 2 named Robin, and 2 named David.  I had the uninspired privilege of being one of those Robins.  So what you say?  It meant that on the day I walked into first grade, my name changed from Robin to Robin Sue. It may not seem like a big deal to most people, but I want to ask you to consider this – How much time do parents spend choosing the perfect name for their newborn?  In some cultures the process of naming a child is considered so important it is postponed until the parents have had a chance to get to know their child.

Obviously, a name isn’t going to change a child’s personality.  In fact, I was the same person after people started calling me Robin Sue that I was before; however,  my perception of myself changed. Changing my name set me apart from everyone else and at least made me feel different.  Not special, mind you, but very different.

I think that’s why I cringe every time one of my EL students asks me how to say their name in English or inform me they can’t tell me their new baby brother or sister’s name because they only know it in their first language.  Your name is your name is your name in any language.

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