Nicknames

 

My name is Maria Alejandra. In Colombia, almost everyone has two names. My first name, Maria, is my grandmother’s name too. It has a catholic meaning, which refers to Virgin Mary. I do not like my first name because I think it is a name for old people. The majority of grandmothers in my country are called Maria. In contrast, I like my second name, which is Alejandra. It does not have a meaning. My mom liked the name and the combination with Maria. I like it because it is a long name, but I have different nicknames. My family back home called me Aleja, my American friends call me Ale, and my Colombian friends call me Al. When I came to Chicago, I realized that for some Americans my name is difficult to pronounce. They called me Alexandra, Alejanda, or Amanda. For that reason, I presented myself to them as Ale. However, even if I do not like my first name, it is part of me for a reason. I would not like to change any of my name because it would be change one part of me and my personality.  

Sometimes I feel like a chameleon, because everyone calls me in a different way. I like it