What's in a Name?

What's in a Name?

Names are our identity. They are what we respond to, what we are known as, and how we define our differences. However, very rarely do we consider the origin of our names. My name is very special to me because I have never met another person who spells his or her name the way I do. This is part of what makes me unique. My name, Ashlea, stems from the traditional spelling of "Ashley." Ashley is directly translated to mean "one who dwells in the ash grove" which presents little to no personal meaning. My parents simply chose the name because they liked it (along with the fact that their favorite character on the Young and the Restless is named Ashley). The spelling of my name came from my Godmother, Lea Edmondson. My middle name, Turner, was the maiden name of my grandmother, Delia Turner. Lastly, my last name, White, comes from my father's English descendants. Though paternally my family is German and were of the Klopp family, maternally, the White family are descendants of King Henry VIII. Altogether, my name is who I am, and I love it. It is unique, yet personal, and a little bit crazy (kind of like Henry). I feel like my name is the perfect representation of me.
As a young adult growing up in an ever-changing society, I find myself facing the "two of me" dilemma constantly. I especially find that I am a different person in front of my family than I am with my friends. I cannot decide whether this is a good or bad thing. In front of my family, I am polite, I do not use colloquialisms, and I severely sensor my topics of conversation. However, when I am with friends, I feel that I let down all of my restraints. I am an extrovert, so being one part in a whole changes me. I strongly dislike being alone. but depending on the people I am with, I am a very different person.

 

cuz