My name is Ronak, a Kurdish-Iranian name that means “Light” or “Brightness”. My father gave my name, and he is still proud of it, so am I. Perhaps that is the reason I never think of changing my name.
Because of the uniqueness of it, it was always hard for people to pronounce it especially in old times when not many parents were aware of that. I remember every September; on the first day of school, the teacher would butcher the pronunciation of my name and now I am experiencing it again and even more. Here, in the United States, every day of my life, at school, at work or on the phone, I have had to pronounce and spell my name for others. Although I get called everything from “Raw-nic” to “Row-nac,” yet I want them to be uncomfortable with the pronunciation, and to struggle with their speech, then I am able to declare my identity and that makes me feel special.
On the basis of “The Kabalarian Philosophy” , which teaches that the quality of one's mind, thoughts, desires, opinions, likes, dislikes and reactions can be measured by one's name, I feel like my name had many influences on my mind, personality and life. For example, when I start something for the first time, even it is a physical or mental, I get so excited about it and try to do my best to finish it, but after a while, if I feel like it is getting nowhere or I am getting bored, I leave it the way it is. When I searched for my name “RONAK” in one of the “ Kabalarian” books, I was so amazed when I read this sentence: When your interests or curiosity are aroused, you work intensely at new undertakings, but your interests often wane when you encounter drudgery and monotony, with the result that you leave many things unfinished. In addition, I know that I am always capable of or showing appreciation to others or God and the book also mentioned that: The name of Ronak has given you sensitivity and appreciation for the finer and deeper things in life. Therefore, that is why I think my name match my character or my personality associated with my name.
I am by no means judging those who have changed their names. Even there is a belief that changing a name is a new beginning of life but I think if we do so, we are going to loose our culture and identity. For me, everything starts with my name. My name is my home.
