Kamal Ghorui
Sometimes, people change their names when they grow up. This might sound strange at first, but there are many reasons why someone would do this.
When a baby is born, their name is chosen by their family. But as people grow older, they learn more about who they are. Changing their name can be a way of saying, “This is who I really am.”
Some people do it for work, especially in movies or music. For example, Meena Kumari and Jamie Foxx chose names that were easier to remember and sounded good to audiences. For them, a name can help build their public image.
Others change their names for deeper, personal reasons. For example, Muhammad Ali changed his name because he did not want to keep a name linked to a painful history. Similarly, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o chose a name that better matched his culture and identity.
Sometimes, people change their names after big life events. A woman might go back to her old name after a difficult marriage. Some people drop surnames that show caste or background because they want to be treated equally. Others pick new names to express who they feel they are inside, especially if they don’t fit into usual categories.
In the end, a name is not just a word—it tells a story. If someone else chooses your name, they are shaping part of your story. But when you choose your own name, you are saying, “This is my story, and I get to decide it.”
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