"Say My Name: The Power of Getting It Right"
What’s in a name?
For me, it’s everything. It’s my identity, my story, and a powerful reminder of a pivotal moment in my life.
I’ll take you back nearly 25 years. I was just 14 years old, attending a retreat at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Pennsylvania. Surrounded by my peers and a group of Franciscan Friars, I introduced myself.
But this time, something shifted.
A Moment of Courage
I’d spent most of my life answering to mispronunciations of my name—or worse, completely wrong ones. The conditioning ran deep: Don’t correct adults. Don’t make waves.
But for reasons I didn’t fully understand at the time, that day, I decided to be brave.
When the Friars fumbled through attempts at my name, I found myself blurting out, “It’s Day-on-uh, like you spent the day on a farm.”
I hadn’t planned it, and it felt risky. My cheeks burned as my friends laughed, and I immediately regretted giving them ammunition to tease me. But you know what?
It worked.
They remembered my name.
Two Years Later
Fast forward two years. I’m in another country, on another retreat, with a completely different group of teens.
And there they were—the same Franciscan Friars.
One of them beamed at me and said, “I remember you! It’s Day-on-uh, like you spent the day on a farm!”
I was floored. A simple analogy had etched my name into their memories, proving how powerful a little creativity could be.
From that day forward, I embraced it.
Why Names Matter
Now, every time someone gets my name right, it sparks joy. I love hearing, “I’ll never forget your name!” or “I think of being on a farm, and it makes me smile!”
But beyond the anecdotes, there’s a deeper truth: names matter.
Names Are Identity: They’re a fundamental part of who we are. Getting someone’s name right is a simple yet profound way to honor their identity.
Names Are Connection: When you put in the effort to say someone’s name correctly, it builds trust and rapport. It shows that you see them.
Names Are Power: Owning your name and teaching others to say it correctly is an act of self-respect.
Why This Matters for Healthy Humaning
Healthy Humaning is all about creating intentional, compassionate connections. And saying someone’s name correctly is one of the easiest, most meaningful ways to do that.
When we make the effort, we’re living the values of empathy, respect, and community that Healthy Humaning stands for.
How to Honor Names
Ask and Listen: If you’re unsure how to pronounce someone’s name, just ask.
Practice: Repetition helps. Find a way to remember, whether it’s an analogy (like mine!) or writing it down phonetically.
Apologize and Correct: If you mess it up, own it, apologize, and do better next time.
Why It Matters to Me
That moment at Mount Saint Mary’s taught me a powerful lesson: I deserve to take up space, to own my name, and to ask others to honor it.
Now, as someone who wants to change the world, it feels even more important that people say my name correctly. It’s not just about me—it’s about showing others they can do the same.
Hi, I’m Deana, like you spent the Day-on-uh farm. Nice to meet you.
