While the most accurate meaning of my name is wise, growing up I always had a different association with the name. My nanny from birth through thirteen years had a strong Portuguese accent and always pronounced my name as queen. This caught on and my parents started calling me Queen Quinn which connected to my outspoken and somewhat bossy personality as a little girl. I absolutely loved the nickname, propelling those traits and others forward in me even more. My favorite characters in books, movies, and TV were smart and courageous females and I aspired to be like them. Thinking back, I reflect on the impact that the nickname subconsciously had on me. Hearing something enough times about yourself can make you believe it and in doing so, gave me confidence in my personality. However, having two younger brothers came with lots of teasing and jokes made about how I acted, and at times I felt ashamed of my personality. When that trend carried into school, and classmates found out about the nickname, I grew extremely embarrassed and made my nanny, parents, and brothers stop. I was merely eleven years old, and a title that had empowered me was stripped down into something people felt made me entitled and self-centered. 

        Looking back, I never should have felt the way I did about my nickname. Years later, after moving past the humiliation and insecurity, I reclaimed the title and now continue to see it as my nanny and I always knew it to be. Only a strong, independent, graceful, and brave girl is a queen, and that is exactly who I want to be.

Works Cited

Blanding, Tahirah. "Quinn - baby girl name, meaning, origin, and popularity." Baby Center, https://www.babycenter.com/baby-names/details/quinn-6865. 11 February 2024.