All through school, my name has been mispronounced in every way imaginable: "Sameeskuh," "Samsheeka," "Sameesha." My name is Sameeksha, no middle name, just Sameeksha. A name that many people can't say they've heard, a name that is nowhere to be found on most name databases, a name that seems like a mouthful at first glance. The struggle of teaching people how to pronounce my name right created some resentment. I longed to have a more straightforward name like many of my peers and went by the name Sam, which took control of the narrative of my name. Even though my parents always called me Sameeksha and encouraged me to be proud of my name, I only understood what they meant once I did more research. 

My name originates from Sanskrit and means "analysis" or "a woman with understanding nature" ("Sameeksha Name Meaning"). Once I discovered the meaning of my name, my perspective transformed. I realized that no other name could fit me more perfectly. Ever since I was young, there was nothing that I would not question. "Why?" was a typical response to anything my parents asked me to do. My keen curiosity for the world never went unnoticed. To this day, I continue to analyze almost anything and everything (sometimes even a bit too much). It is a trait that has brought me a lot of success, but at the same time, it has also gotten in the way of reaching my goals. However, this is precisely the beauty of my name. It encompasses my life from the highs to the lows. The latter part of my name's meaning also highlights my understanding nature. I am aware of the varying situations and positions of those around me and strive to be empathetic. 

Understanding the meaning of my name has made me embrace not only my name but also my identity. My parents named me Sameeksha because they valued the deep significance it carried; they have always valued perception and understanding of the world, which they tried to reflect through my name. They also wanted me to have a name that reflects my cultural identity. As immigrants from India who moved to America in their 20s, they tried to give me a name that was representative of their origins and ethnic background. Most of all, they wanted to give me a name they knew I could always love and embrace. Though I often go by Sam due to the lengthier nature of my name, I no longer hold the same disdain for my birth name. Reflective of my character and Indian cultural background, my name has become deeply rooted in my daily life, and I am beyond proud to be named Sameeksha. 

Works Cited

"Sameeksha Name Meaning & Origin." Mylo, mylofamily.com/parenting/babynames/meaning-of-sameeksha-68922#. Accessed 18 Sept. 2023.