My name is Oliver. When naming me, my parents debated between about six different Spanish names, and ended up with Oliver. As I understand it, my parents chose the name Oliver because it fit well with my brother’s also-American name “Miles”. As if we were identical twins that would constantly be attached to each other. Like our names had to fit together like Legos, and stay put that way. It’s not that I am completely against the name Oliver, but when I compare it to a name I could’ve had, -for example, “Xavi”- I feel Oliver isn't the best thing to suit me. Having a name from a different culture and country that few people had would be something setting me apart in a positive way. Reflecting the part of me that enjoys being different and unique. While having a commonly used name simply blends e into my surroundings, having me become something more missed and overlooked.
My nickname, Oli, is special and just as important as any other part of my name. It reflects who I am in ways that I think all names should. In one short and quick name it identifies my personality and me. It adapts throughout the languages of my family without losing any of its content. When I’m at home, no matter which language it’s in, to me my nickname says like pink; optimistic and energetic, ready to stretch out without any limits or boundaries. However, when I reach school, it eventually goes back to being the blue shade of deep water it always will have a hint of. Unknown, unexplored and holding its own way of life like in the deep ocean, becoming the name Oliver again. Mirroring my efforts to be a more formal and educated person during the school day. In school it becomes something else, contained and inventive. But there’ll still be some happy, optimistic pink, hidden and covered up by my real name, ready to reappear.
On a more positive note, given the choice I wouldn't be able to persuade myself to change my name. I might’ve when I was younger, but the name Oliver means something to me and about me that I couldn't replace. If I could pile up all my achievements and experiences, my name would be the tape holding it all together, labeling each and every one, because I can’t escape something I use every day, over and over again Out of the hundreds of thousands of words in the English language the one I'm connected to more than any other is my name. That’s not something you can just walk away from. It’s become a part of me. It’s a way to describe me. It is me overall. Whether I like it or not, I’m stuck to my name like my head is stuck on my neck. And if you don’t like the shape of our head, I’m pretty sure no one in their right mind would cut their head off. My name is just as much a part of me as my eyes, my nose and my mouth. And I wouldn't try and separate myself from my name under any circumstances that aren’t completely out of the question and/or ridiculous.
No matter how I look at it, my name will always be what and who I am, whether I would prefer some other name or not. My name won’t ever change even if I’m given the choice because as I said, it’s who and what I am as a person and I wouldn't like to change a single thing about me.