Consider Names and Naming: What is your name story? Why do you have your name? I was named after my great Aunt Marguerite. Alice is my middle name after my maternal grandmother. My last name is Dimgba. My husband is Nigerian and Dimgba means "Arbitrator" in the Igbo.
What is the ethnic origin? My first name is French. To my knowledge my aunt wasn't French but I ironically majored in French and became a French teacher. My married name is Nigerian.
How do you experience your name? Growing up, people had a hard time spelling or pronouncing my first name but after I got married, suddenly that was the easy part and they struggle with my last name. I used to not like my name as a child. I wished for a short name like Amy but over time, I have realized that my name is what is a part of me.
How do others experience your name? Other people for the most part struggle with my name. It used to bother me but doesn't anymore. My pet peeve growing up was when I was called Margaret or Margaretta but now I realize that people do they best they can. Sometimes I politely correct them but usually I just keep going.
What is the impact of naming for different cultures of students? My own children have struggled with this as they have Igbo names. It is so important for the teacher to learn to pronounce the names of their students. My youngest even in college gets so upset that professors just don't take the time to get it right or people they have known for years just don't slow down and learn to pronounce a name.
How might this create an educational barrier for some? Some kids don't feel connected with the class or teacher when the teacher doesn't know their name. It is the first step to get to know someone and to build a
