Getting+to+Know+You+Wiki

=**What's in a name?**=


 * This week I would like you to tell the history behind your name. Ask a parent or relative to explain the meaning behind your name. Why did your parent give you that particular first name? Do you have a middle name? If no, why not? If so, what is it and what is the meaning behind that name? What is the history and/or heritage behind your last name? This entry should be three paragraphs in length. The page title should be Rough Draft- History Behind My Name and you should provide a the title, "Rough Draft-History Behind My Name" at the top of the page.**


 * What do I do if my parents can't tell me anything about my name? **

Identify what your name means and write that as your story. Don't forget to cite your source (http://www.kabalarians.com/cfm/first-name-meaning.cfm). You could also conduct a Google.com search and type "meaning behind name _____________" or "meaning of last name ______________"
 * Option 1: Search this site: [|name meaning]**

Be creative and embellish a bit. Tell what you think the history of your name is or what it should be.
 * Option 2: It's a narrative.**

Mrs. Anderson's Example:

Cutting the Ties Katie Neill Sewell Anderson, that's my full name. I was born to Deborah and Neill Sewell. As the second, and knowingly last child they would have, my parents decided to name me after my father. No, my dad's first name is not Katie, but it is Neill. Hence, Katie Neill. They wanted a boy, but they struck out and had two girls instead. Initially, I didn't realize my name was different, until I was in fourth grade and began comparing names with other girls. Their names were girly and similar, mine was surely not. I grew a little embarrassed. In high school, I realized it was kind of cool to stand out with my "different name," and I still do.

My first name took several years for me to decode some kind of meaning. Dad had not preference with naming his two children, but my mom, she said she knew she liked the name, but couldn't remember why. It wasn't until we were cleaning out her mother's home that we found a book //Katie's Christmas Tree.// My mom told me it had been her favorite, and subliminally, it must have been the reason she named me Katie. Interestingly, I was born a little more than a month before Christmas.

Sewell is my maiden name. It is a Cherokee Indian name. Some think that my ancestors were able to "See Well," but after several years of learning more about my family, I'm not proud to say that the name is associated with things less than desirable. My family is from the southern part of Maryland, [|Broomes Island] to be exact. Racism ran rampant in that area several years ago, when my grandfather was a child. My family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland when my grandfather grew up and got married. Much later, my sister and I came into the picture, you know, after my mom and dad were born, grew up, and married. Mom and dad always sheltered my sister and me from the prejudice my grandfather often exuded. It wasn't until my thirteenth birthday that I realized the truth. Nothing could stop my grandfather's hate, not even his love for his grand-daughter. During my thirteenth birthday party, I was dancing with one of my best friends who I'd gone to school with since kindergarten. I must admit that I'm not sure if it was naivity or just non-importance, but I didn't recognize that my best friend was black. My grandfather did though. Pop stood up, took his wife by her hand, grabbed my birthday present, and left with a look of disgust on his face. I was mortified and angry. I swore off my last name at that point; I didn't want the hate to represent me in anyway. His family tradition was not going to follow me through the connection of my last name.

Later in life, I recognized my grandfather as a misinformed old man. The more education I received, the more I was able to acknowledge my grandfather's prejudice as simple ignorance. He grew up based on societal tradition and culture that was prevalent in southern Maryland. He never received a formal education like I have and he didn't have parents like mine to show him right from wrong. While it is a sad situation for him, I have recognized that my last name provides history, something from which other can learn about the history of society in Maryland and the history of my family. It is a good reminder of how hate can cause rifts and even worse, especially between family members. I'm proud to say that my parents, my sister, and I, were able to turn the meaning behind our last name around to be something positive. Sewell's today are known for their kind-hearts and loving demeanor (most of the time anyway). Today, I'm proud to say I'm a Sewell.