Celebrate Your Name: Discover the Hidden Meaning and Embrace Your True Identity

My Vietnamese name, Thái Thịnh, means "Peace & Prosperity."

My Vietnamese name, Thái Thịnh, carries the beautiful meaning of "Peace & Prosperity." In the tradition of our ancestors, it was chosen by my parents with the hope that my arrival would bring harmony and fortune to our family. My father, specifically, found solace in the word "Thịnh," which embodies serenity and success.

Yet, throughout my life, this name has been a source of dissonance. Unlike many of my friends with feminine middle names ending in "Thị," mine lacked that distinct indicator. To add to this confusion, my parents kept my hair short from childhood until my fifth grade, further blurring the lines of my gender identity. This disconnect between my name and appearance made me feel like an outsider, yearning for the carefree days of pink dresses, flowing locks adorned with bows, and a name that effortlessly revealed my feminine side.

This insecurity cast a long shadow over my years. To mask these feelings of inadequacy, I crafted a new persona in middle school, one that persisted into my early professional life. I projected an image of strength, masculinity, and even aggressiveness, determined not to be perceived as weak. This carefully constructed facade was meant to breed confidence, but deep down, I remained the insecure child, grappling with the dissonance between my true self and the name I was given. How could I truly feel confident if I didn't even embrace the essence of my own name?

From ‘Thịnh’ to ‘Yubin’ to ‘Thịnh’

In an attempt to "erase" the name that caused me so much trouble – from misgendered greetings ("Mr.") to inaccurate identification documents – I adopted the Korean name "Yubin." Inspired by the strong, beautiful female leads of Korean dramas, I saw Yubin as a symbol of empowerment and a happy ending. I used this name on social media, and gradually, even some close friends forgot about my birth name, Thịnh. This temporary solace, however, couldn't mask the underlying truth.

Recently, as I embarked on a journey of self-discovery, a profound realization dawned upon me: everything in life has its own purpose, including the name my parents bestowed upon me. The very name I once resented, given during the time of my birth, held a unique destiny in my life. What I once perceived as a masculine-sounding name, Thịnh, was met with admiration from my friends, who highlighted its beautiful meaning.

This revelation struck me deeply. Could it be that my own insecurities had been the source of my suffering all along?

A chance encounter with a podcast or book (the details now hazy) resonated deeply with me. The author/speaker urged listeners to "Love your name. All names hold meaning. Thank your parents, for deep within it lies something connected to your personality and destiny."

Inspired by these words, I penned this article as a tribute to my name, Thịnh. Thank you, Thịnh, for enduring my years of rejection. I apologize for the misguided thoughts that clouded my perception.

My name is Thịnh.

Moving forward, I will proudly introduce myself to foreign friends using my Vietnamese birth name, rather than the Korean name I adopted. While letting go of "Yubin" after a decade of use may not be easy, I am determined to embrace my true identity.

Ultimately, labels like names are just that – labels. What truly matters are the values I embody – compassion, empathy, and the unwavering pursuit of the authentic self. So, whether you choose to call me Yubin or, even better, Thịnh, as long as it recognizes me for who I truly am, I welcome it with open arms.

Maya Angelou once said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel." Because of that, I choose to live with my heart and let my true essence shine. Maybe people will forget my name, maybe they don't really remember who I am, but once recalled, they do remember how I made them feel. For no matter how hard I try to shy away from my authentic self, the 'fake self' will be exposed, sooner or later.

[REFLECTION PROMPTS]

• Do you love, like, or feel neutral about your name? Why?

• Have you explored the meaning or history of your name?

• How can you celebrate your birth name and embrace it more?