Hadi Chamra

Photo of Hadi Chamra

Hadi: A Name, A Path, A Responsibility

by Hadi Chamra

I used to wonder why I didn’t have a more simple name, especially after returning from Lebanon where Hadi is as common as John in the United States. Hadi (HAD-ee), an Arabic boy’s name, means “leader” or “guide.” Hadi is one of the 99 names of God in Islam, a name that honors its holder but to me also carries a responsibility to create peace and give hope to others, according to Islam (Baby Names). In the Qur'an, Al-Hadi leads followers along the Straight Path. Thus anyone named Hadi is seen as a leader, fated to navigate life while positively influencing people they encounter (“Hadi”).

In the United States, my name sets me apart, reminding me of my ancestry and the leadership role expected of me. In school, my name usually falls on unfamiliar tongues. Whenever my name is mispronounced I take it as an opportunity to teach someone how to say it correctly and share a piece of myself.

As the first Hadi in my family, I am making my path solo. This uniqueness motivates me as I pursue my goals in finance, where leadership and integrity are valued. Initially, the originality of my name felt like a limitation. I hadn’t seen many people named Hadi in the media. I wondered if anyone had my name. As I got older, I noticed having the name Hadi as an honor - a unique mark of my heritage and leadership as I took on leadership roles in the NHS. I led various community projects, such as organizing food drives and offering free sports lessons. I felt as if I had truly begun to grow into my name. I was the positive leader, I was meant to be. This experience was a key point in my growth into my name.

Nowadays, when people mispronounce my name, I enjoy showing them the correct pronunciation and sharing my distinctive name. Even though I wanted a simpler name, I now value the unique identity it gives me. Hadi is not just a name to me anymore, it's also a reminder of who I am and aspire to be. As my life goes on, my name doesn't just follow me, it leads me.

Baby Names Content Team. “Hadi.” TheBump, 14 Feb. 2025, thebump.com/b/hadi-baby-name. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Chamra, Hadi. Selfie of Hadi. 24 March 2024. Author's personal collection.

“Hadi.” Quranic Names, quranicnames.com/hadi. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.