Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.
I’m an Indian. And if you haven’t had the privilege of experiencing Indian/Hindu culture, let me tell you this — names are a big deal here.
When a child is born, there’s an entire SOP the family follows. Priests look at the date, time, and place of birth and then decide which letter the baby’s name should start with. It’s believed that if you name your child using that letter (in Hindi or a regional language — out of our 1600 languages, but definitely not English), the child will live a happy, lucky life.
My letter was “अ”. I know what you’re thinking. “Shreya, do you know how to spell your name?” Yes. Yes, I do. Be patient and hear me out.
My mother was also told that my name should start with the same letter as my father’s. The only name they could think of was “अनुष्का”. There was just one small issue, though — there existed a moderately famous man whose daughter was named Anushka. And she had a fat nose.
So my dad said nope. We’re not naming our baby after a fat-nose girl.
(Which, honestly, fair.)
His preference was “साक्षी” — and to anyone who thinks I can’t follow instructions, please study genetics.
I don’t know what happened with that name, but my father wasn’t present at my naming ceremony. And when the priest asked my mother what name she had chosen for me — she had none.
Y’all had nine months.
NINE.
So when put on the spot, the first word that popped into her head was “श्रेया”.
Now, the word Shreya is derived from Sanskrit and means beautiful, auspicious, and fortunate. But let me be very clear — that is not why I was named Shreya. I was named Shreya because my mother panicked.
Also, in what universe does श्रेया begin with अ?
Again — genetics, guys. Genetics.
Imagine if the word that had popped into her head was Aloo Gobhi.
Anyway, later my mother regretted naming me Shreya because — S. She used to watch a daily soap where the main character’s name was “अक्षरा”, and she really wanted to rename me that. I loved the name too.
But I was already eight years old, so… nothing happened.
And I’m glad.
Because Aksharalogy doesn’t sound half as dope as Shreyalogy. It’s giving main character energy.
Moral of the story – Never follow instructions.
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