1. special feature
the
name
chronicles
What’s in an name?
This is how Babins Shrestha, a software engineer at
?"
our name again D2 HawkEye Services, generally goes through the
"Err… what's y
-N-S, Babins." ritual of introducing himself to a new person. "People
"Babins, B-A-B-I just can't keep their curiosity to themselves when
l…??"
"Bobins… plura they notice the 's' in my name," he exclaims. And
not Bobins."
"Yup, but Babins, no, Babins hasn't added the 's' to give his name a
unique twist to the otherwise quite common name,
“Babin” (as in Babin Pradhan, a popular Nepali singer,
remember?). “Babins” was exactly how his father named him.
And it's not just Babins' dad who are derived from the day/month they were actor/actress the caller intends to talk to, or
has (over) exerted his creative faculty in born in, some have been named after one of continuously reaffirming one's own name
nameing his child. In fact, when it comes to their parents' favourite flower or a celebrity, just because someone doesn't 'believe'
naming a newly born, parents all over the a favourite character from a book or a that it's his or her real name. However,
world are getting more and more inventive. movie, a historical figure, a word that might conventional or not, names seem to make
Gone are the days when simply one of have a special appeal to the name-giver, or the person’s identity. American writer Dale
the names of the Gods or Goddesses, a something altogether eccentric... Carnegie put it the best way: "Remember
protagonist from a mythical legend, or just that a person's name is to that person the
one of the popular contemporary names was Well, yeah, it could be really annoying sweetest and most important sound in any
chosen to name a newly-born child. Names to spend one's lifetime explaining to language."
are getting more and more unconventional, others how one’s name is really spelled or
weirder and more 'interesting' than ever pronounced, to keep on answering wrongly VOW talked to five individuals with
before. There are individuals whose names directed calls clarifying that s/he is not the names that 'demand' attention...
44 | VOW | march 2011

2. The story behind my name
Actually, my father has a fetish for unconventional
names. And he named me Awashyakta for the sole reason ‘My name
that my name should stand out in a crowd. Even my elder
brothers, who were of course named by my father, have keeps me
longing for
very unique names—Abiskar and Aswasan.
progress’
People's reactions…
When I introduce myself to others, they find my name
quite exceptional and react with a hint of surprise. They
find it easy to remember my name and I don't have to repeat
my name to someone I have already been introduced to. So
that's a plus point I guess.
What my name means to me…
I have always been very comfortable with my name, no matter how 'strange' it
sounds, and never did it occur to me that I should go about changing it to something
else. However, unlike what my name suggests—(need or wants)—I am quite satisfied
with what God has showered on me. My name reminds me that I should never stop
longing for progress.
awashyakta Sigdel
Student
‘My name My father intervened and decided that instead of
calling him Manish (dlgz), he could be named
apparently backwards—Sanim (zlgd). Sanim sounds quite a
familiar name, but we doubt if it has any meaning.
doesn't We often joke that if we had another sibling, he or
she would have been named with a j... something
have any like j6f6f (Vatata) or jG8/ ls8 (Wonder Kid)... only
my dad knows!
meaning’ For 22 years, I didn’t know
what my name meant…
I knew there are some homophonic words
that sound similar to my name: for example, Bobin,
brother of Batman, and “Bobbin case” (used in sewing
machines); but for 22 years of my life, I didn't know what my
name meant. I searched for the meaning wherever possible and
finally, I sort of derived the meaning in one of the electric circuit
classes while doing my Bachelor’s in Engineering at the Institute
of Engineering, Pulchowk. In the class, while I was half-asleep
(sleeping with my eyes wide open), the professor somewhere
BaBins Shrestha mentioned “and within this, Babins is wounded with a coil” to
which everyone laughed. I sprung back to attention wondering
Software Engineer, D2 HawkEye Services
what the joke was. The professor thought he'd cracked a hilarious
joke, so he repeated the same sentence yet again. Well, funny it
The story behind my name… was or not, but right at that moment, when everyone got a reason
I was named by my father. Both my younger brothers—Sushban to laugh, I was enlightened. I came to the conclusion that Babins
and Sanim—were also named by him. Actually, none of our names is "something that is wound or has been wound". However, the
has any apparent meaning, and we were always very curious why our “Babins” that the professor talked about is spelled B-o-b-b-i-n-s.
father named us so. I did some research and discovered that actually, Yeah, my name, if it corresponded to its possible meaning, has an
he named us with the alphabets corresponding to his own name: error in spelling... but what the heck!
Basudev -af;'bj_. I was named with af -aflaG;_, Sushban was named
]
with ;' -;':ag_ and Sanim was previously named with b] ( b]l/a– Deriv). What my name means to me…
How Deriv became Sanim is an interesting story again. Actually, My name is very dear to me and I am kind of proud of it because
when he was named Deriv by my father, my mom sprung into action: it's super-unique thanks to my dad—he is my hero! To those who
"No way! You have already messed up with our two sons' names. don't ever pronounce my name correctly, mostly leaving the “s”
I am not going to name him Deriv or whatever." My father didn't out, I don't mind and let them call me Babin. I also often use “z”
object, and my mother happily named him Manish. But, there came instead of “s” to make my name sound cooler –Babinz! I just hope
a twist when our uncle's son was born at pretty much the same time people don't pronounce my name as “Baabins” or “Poppins”…
and he too was named Manish. So there occurred an identity crisis. calling me Bob is cool though.
subscribe online: www.vownepal.com | VOW | 45

3. special feature
‘My name
‘I mean means the
the wor last one, bu
ld t
to my d I love takin
ad’ g
Duniya Raut antim Ranjit
initiatives’
Student
Manager – Marketing and
Branding, Big Mart
The story behind my name
It was my father who named me Duniya, which means “the
The story behind my name…
world”. Perhaps I mean the world to my dad!
When the American doctor in charge of my mother's
caesarean handed me over to my father, he asked how many kid(s)
People's reactions… he already had. My father replied that I was the 13th one. Upon
Whenever I introduce myself to new people, I have to reaffirm hearing that, the doctor was utterly surprised and asked my father
my name. Some of them even say, "If you don't want to tell me that I should be their last child. As my father didn't understand
your name, it's okay. Leave it," while some of them request, "You English, the nurse translated the doctor's request, saying, "Yo
can trust me. What's your real name?" It takes some effort to tapaiko antim santaan hunuparchha." Everyone around heard
convince them. the nurse say so and teased my father saying that I was the last
one—antim. And that was precisely how I was named. Later, my
Memories associated with my name… parents wanted to change my name to something conventional,
Generally, after a couple of reaffirmations and a confident look but somehow it didn’t happen.
in my eyes, people get convinced that my name is Duniya for real.
Once, there was this man who wouldn't get convinced at all and People's reactions…
accused me of kidding with him no matter what I did to 'prove' that By the time I was of school-going age, my name, Antim was
my name is Duniya. I had to actually show him my identity card as what everyone knew me by in my village. My name didn't make
evidence. He was sorry later, and we are now good friends. any difference at school because I studied at a local school and
my classmates were my friends. After SLC however, when I came
Flattering remarks to Kathmandu for further studies, people were surprised to learn
People generally compliment my unique name, saying, "You my name. When I submitted the admission form at Mahendra
have such a meaningful name" or "Duniya sounds so sweet." Ratna Campus, the officer looked at my form and asked if I had
not made any mistake with my name. I assured him that there
What my name means to me… was no mistake and then he told everyone in the room that my
I love everything about my name—from what it means to name was Antim. All of them burst into laughter! I was new to
how it sounds. And just like what my name means—the world Kathmandu and given my reserved nature, I couldn’t react in any
(with everything and everyone), I have an attitude that does way. However, I am glad that my name is Antim in the sense that
not discriminate against anybody or anything. I have a large people remember it very easily—it takes only one introduction
circle of friends and I love meeting new people. I also have a and they remember me forever.
very versatile character, and I can mould myself into whatever
situation demanded of me. In fact, it's my name that encourages What my name means to me…
me to do something in favour of the whole world and be somebody Although my name means “the last one”, I am quite an
renowned. If my name was something else, I wouldn’t probably innovative person and I am always game for taking initiatives
be what I am today. and leading my team.
46 | VOW | march 2011

4. knowing that I shared the same name with a celebrity. I never
gave it any thought.
‘I am I started being punctual in class thanks
not that to my 'namesake'
Once I completed schooling and went to Ratna Rajya
Bhuwan Campus for further studies, Lal Deuja Rai, Associate Professor
of Journalism and Mass Communication, asked me about film
shootings and my relationship with Sushmita KC (actor Bhuwan
KC’ KC's wife) whenever I was late for class. I knew he was just
mocking me for my tardiness, so I would smile back and try
my best to reach class on time just so that I didn't have to go
through being embarrassed.
The perks of having a celebrity name
Well, once I introduce myself, most people remember me by
my name. As a journalist, it's very essential to make and maintain
relationship with new sources, and my name has helped me do so.
Some senior political leaders, who are great fans of actor Bhuwan
Bhuwan KC KC, remember me easily even after just one introduction. I should
Political Correspondent, Kantipur Television Networks say I am lucky I haven't been introduced to someone who doesn't
appreciate the actor much.
The story behind my name…
I was named Bhuwan by Balananda Upadhyay, a pandit as The flipside…
well as a teacher at my primary school. Initially, I used to write my Some people, after learning of my name, ask me if I am a great
name as Bhuwan Khatri, but when I reached class four, another fan of the hero. Some even ask me if I have any scoops on the
teacher Januka Acharya, who loved me very much for being the actor. Many a time, it gets a little annoying when I receive calls
topper in my class, requested me to write my name as Bhuwan from young people who ask me if I can give them an opportunity
KC, and I agreed. to act in one of my ‘projects’. I try to humbly explain to them that
I am not the Bhuwan KC they think I am, but sometimes, they
When I discovered about the popular actor, just don't believe me.
Bhuwan KC…
It was only when I turned 14 that I learnt about the popular
actor Bhuwan KC. However, I don't remember feeling anything Text» Poonam Maharjan
Photos» Sanu raja /Shankar
subscribe online: www.vownepal.com | VOW | 47