The Big Reveal: What’s in a name?

A name like Rose may not always be so sweet.  

 

Many individuals may have never seen their birth certificate, a reality I faced for 18 years.

Our parents hold the key to our true identity until we grow old enough to understand. Discovering that one’s entire life has been lived under a different name can be a jolting experience amidst the already challenging journey of self-discovery.

My story began at birth as I was named Rose, carrying a familial legacy that tied me to my great-grandmother.

At the age of three, I expressed my dislike for the name Rose and sought to be called Joan, my middle name, a preference that I fervently voiced.

Facing resistance at home, I took it upon myself to request my teachers to address me as Joan, a shift that most of them accommodatingly embraced.

Despite my persistent efforts, my mother remained adamant about retaining the name Rose, considering it a matter of family pride. As I ventured into school life, official documents continued to bear the name Rose, creating a sense of dissonance in my identity.

Determined to be known as Joan, I persisted in asserting my preferred name to everyone I met, a journey marked by private battles and silent compromises.

Upon uncovering the truth in my teens, that my true first name was Joan, a wave of clarity washed over me, unraveling the complexities I had grappled with for years.

In seeking answers from my father, a revelation emerged – he had originally named me Joan, advocating for its rightful place as my first name before his absence allowed my mother’s preference to prevail.

Embracing my identity as Joan Sloan at 18 felt like a rebirth, a moment of empowerment where I could align my name with the person I truly saw myself as.

Looking back, the tumultuous journey to reclaim my name now feels like a distant memory, as Joan Sloan, a name that resonates with strength and authenticity, leads me confidently into the future.

* Narrated by Devon Bolger. Adapted for clarity and conciseness.