In a world brimming with distinctive names, I stand as Daniel Wang, a combination of two very ubiquitous names in different areas of the globe. Our names are supposed to serve as the original essence of our character–portals to the fluid universe of identity and meaning. But, what if this “unique” combination happens to be one of the most popular in the world? My first name, Daniel, means “God is my judge”, originating from the Hebrew words din (to judge) and el (God) (Verywell Family). From the Social Security Admissions Baby Name Database, “Daniel” had an average rank of 10th for the most popular names from 2000 - 2022 in the US. The surname Wang, meaning “King'', ironically, is the most ordinary last name in the world, with 1 in every 68 people associating with it worldwide (Forebears) and a stunning 103 million people associating with it in China (Toutiao). I possess a mix of two globally recognized names, yet I still retain a profound depth to my uniqueness and individuality. 

I was named after the main character of Chris Columbus’s film Mrs. Doubtfire, released in 1993. According to my parents, they “decided to watch a movie, and take the first name of the main character”. Honestly, it worries me that they chose a movie to determine my “name” legacy. I wonder if any part of my life would have been different if I was not named Daniel. 

Although the statistics suggest my normality through words, they convey nothing about my ethnic experiences. Looking at my full name, I noticed a contrast woven into its cultural history. I represent the duality of my upbringing–a blend of the East and the West through particular ways of life. As someone raised in two different cultures simultaneously, I developed a worldview that allowed me to integrate multiple aspects of Chinese and American traditions into my own life. My full name exhibits evolution and balance, transcending the data that points toward a commonality. The experiences I have gained through culture, lessons I have acquired through experience, and rewards I have been granted through dedication make me who I am today. For that, I am proud to be Daniel Wang because I have infused a profound uniqueness to my otherwise “common” name. 

Works Cited

“In 2022, the Latest Ranking of 100 Surnames, Wang Ranked First with 1032 Million, with Only 14 Surnames.” Toutiao.com, 2023, www.toutiao.com/article/7195870044344336911/?source=seo_tt_juhe&upstream_biz=toutiao_pc&source=m_redirect&wid=1698360641426. Accessed 15 Oct. 2023.

OACT. “Popular Baby Names.” Www.ssa.gov, 2022, www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi.

“Wang Surname Origin, Meaning & Last Name History.” Forebears.io, forebears.io/surnames/wang.

Wisner, Wendy. “What Does the Name Daniel Mean?” Verywell Family, 2 July 2021, www.verywellfamily.com/daniel-name-meaning-origin-popularity-5115352.