Aside from my first name, there’s Sakura, my middle name. Growing up in the U.S. with a British-American dad and Japanese mom, I’ve always proudly gone by Chelsea, my first name. My middle name, on the other hand, was less prominent in my life. In instances where I’d visit Japan and my grandma would call me Sakura, I didn’t know how to feel. In all honesty, I disliked being called by this name, a name I didn’t typically go by. That’s not to say I’m not proud that Sakura, a Japanese name that means cherry blossom and symbolizes renewal and hope, is my middle name (Meehan). Especially now, years later, I’m glad Sakura fundamentally connects me to my Japanese culture, similar to the way my first name Chelsea has its roots in British heritage.

In fact, these origins that my names possess have grown into other aspects of my life. Cherry blossoms are, unsurprisingly, my favorite flower, embellishing decorative fabrics I hang in my room and flavoring unique seasonal treats I’m always delighted to find. I grew up cheering for the popular English football team Chelsea, and I was always prideful that my name was part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in England. In fact, I was so impressed by this that when my brother was born, I wanted his middle name to be a counterpart to mine, Kensington. Luckily for me, my parents must have also seen its value, as it’s now his middle name. 

As a product of heritages that span continents, my two sides form an unlikely pair: cherry blossom and chalk landing port. From Chelsea, a name rooted in British heritage, to Sakura, which blooms with Japanese culture, both lead to me. I’ve always been greatly reassured by the name Chelsea, and despite the lack of prominence Sakura had in my early life, I now embrace it with much pride. Who I am is shaped by the culmination of my parents’ backgrounds, and my names encompass that perfectly.

Works Cited

Kehoe, Chelsea. Photo of Chelsea Kehoe. 18 Feb. 2024. Chelsea Kehoe's personal collection.

Meehan, Alison. “Sakura - Baby Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity.” The Bump, 26 Oct. 2023, www.thebump.com/b/sakura-baby-name#. Accessed 11 Feb. 2024. 

Riley, L. “Chelsea Name Meaning: Origins and Significance.” Name Of The Year, 6 Sept. 2023, www.nameoftheyear.com/chelsea-name-meaning/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2024.