Given Name

Amber J. Adams (@amberjadams) joins me for a conversation about names, fashion, family, and the many ways we communicate who we are without saying a word. While my work begins with names and Amber’s begins with fashion, we quickly realized we were asking many of the same questions about identity, expression, and the stories people tell before they’re ever spoken. Amber reflects on the story behind...

Andromeda has never been interested in making her name easier for other people. She doesn’t accept nicknames, she expects people to say it correctly, and she embraces the story that comes with carrying such a distinctive name. In this episode, we talk about the mystery of who first chose her name, its connection to Greek mythology, and the assumptions people make before they ever meet her. We also...

You can find the full episode on Patreon! Eryn's (@_cerelle_) name was built to make people pause. An androgynous first name paired with a racially ambiguous combination of first and last names meant her parents weren't leaving first impressions to chance. In this episode, Eryn shares the stories behind her first, middle, and last names, including a naming compromise between her parents an...

Enjoy this full episode! It's too good to miss! Kennimarie Bell (@KayBeeJokes) has a name that's hard to forget — and even harder to shorten, though people try. All one word. No spaces. No hyphen. No M. And still, most people call her Kenni or KB. In this episode, we start with her name and end up somewhere much bigger: family, comedy, caregiving, health equity, and what it means to carry...

Depending on who’s calling, she might be Chris, Chrissy, or Christian. Each name represents a different relationship, a different expectation, and sometimes a different version of herself. In this episode, Chrissy of ( @PhillyExperiences ) reflects on growing up with a traditionally male first name, the journey to embracing the name she prefers, and the ways names can shape how we move through the...

Some names make people curious. Christiani is one of them. In this episode, I sit down with Christiani (@_christianinix_), a New Orleans native, producer, and television and film professional whose name has sparked questions and assumptions for years. From people assuming she’s Italian to navigating spaces where her name stands out, Christiani shares the stories, laughter, and experiences that hav...

Kyler Nathan IV ( @thefourthtyler ) comes from four generations of Kylers. In this episode, we talk about lineage, namesakes, masculinity, and the strange intimacy of sharing one name across generations. As a cognitive science scholar and social scientist, Kyler reflects on identity, memory, and what it means to inherit more than a name. If you'd like to hear more of this episode visit my Patr...

Naashon and I ended up having a really meaningful conversation about sickle cell, the stereotypes surrounding it, and the work still being done to support families and communities affected by it. I wanted to share part of that conversation publicly because it felt important. 🤎 More bonus conversations are available on Patreon .

Some names sound different at home. In this episode, Naashon (@KingsHomage) reflects on being raised in the Rastafarian tradition, the way her father pronounces her name, and what it means to carry culture through family, stories, and intentional living. A bookseller, mother, and keeper of stories, Naashon reminds us that identity is often preserved in the quietest ways. To listen to the full epis...

In this special Season 2 finale, I sit down with Joy Crawford— host of What My Grandkids Call Me and lovingly known as Granny Granny—for a warm conversation about motherhood, grandmotherhood, and generational wisdom. We reflect on parenting, loving grandchildren, and the lessons that come with time, including one of Granny Granny’s favorite sayings: “You can’t compete where you don’t compare.” Fun...

In this episode, I sit with one of my line sisters 💙💛🐩, Cynithis (@cyncynsation), for a reflective conversation about heritage, naming traditions, and the legacy carried through family names. We talk about shared first-name syllables across generations, what it means to continue—or break—those traditions, and how identity stretches beyond what we’re called. Thoughtful, slow, and full of quiet w...

In this episode, we sit with Da’Joya Barnes Majors—better known as Joy—a mother, wife, social worker, professor, coach, and someone who truly embodies her name. She shares the story behind Da’Joya, why Joy is the name that stayed, and how she’s grown into a life full of purpose, care, and brightness. A warm conversation about identity, calling, and becoming who you were named to be.

In this episode, we sit with Stacya, a college student and mother whose name carries intention and history. She reflects on the story behind her name, her family’s roots in Ohio, and how those connections shaped her identity. From nicknames to naming her own child, she shares why choosing a meaningful name matters—and how legacy continues through the next generation.

We sit with LaKeicha (@only1Keesh)—an RN and proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho💙💛 —who has always embraced being different. She reflects on what it means to grow up with a name that stands out, the importance of correcting people when they mispronounce it, and why names should never be softened or “white-washed” for the comfort of others. From her unforgettable middle name Korvette to the intention...

In this episode, we sit with a mother (@tellmetelly) who views her own name as something that moves under the radar—and how that perspective shaped the intentional way she named her children. Through her voice and growing online presence, she reflects on identity, cultural pride, and why we should never diminish the meaning behind our names to make others comfortable. #BlackNames #NameMeaning #Int...

We sit with Joy (JoyyMeetsWorld)—a woman whose life reflects the name spoken over her. Raised in the Bible Belt Midwest, she shares how names can shape identity, becoming a kind of confession we grow into. From her vibrant spirit to her socially conscious work in travel and community, this episode reflects on joy, responsibility, and honoring the spaces our ancestors fought to protect.

In this episode, we sit with a story shaped by love and legacy. Our guest (@Layyy_Lunaaaa) reflects on being named after her father, the deep admiration her parents have for her, and how that same care carries into the way she loves her own daughter. From childhood nicknames to a family business named in her honor, this is a warm conversation about being cherished, chosen, and rooted in family pri...

In this episode of Given Name , we sit with Miles , a soulful, family-oriented friend who believes deeply in staying true to yourself. Miles shares reflections on identity, loving the name you carry, and the importance of doing the work — in school and in life. With honesty and humor, he offers encouragement to young men: stay focused, do your homework, and trust your path. It’s a thoughtful conve...

In this episode, we sit with Antonique (@heyniquev) —a lively storyteller from P.G. County with roots in both Black American and Jamaican culture. She shares memories of her upbringing, what it means to carry a version of her mother’s middle name, and the pride of being “Lil Ant,” the daughter of Big Ant. We also talk about eldest daughter energy, intentional identity, and why she insists that rom...

In this episode, we sit with Leah (@Leah. M.Forney) and explore the biblical roots of her name, what it means to carry that story, and how it shapes identity. We also unpack the unspoken weight of being a high-functioning eldest daughter—especially within Black culture. Honest, layered, and affirming, this conversation makes space for faith, responsibility, and the quiet strength so many women car...

In this episode, I reflect on a moment that stayed with me long after the microphones turned off. What I thought was breakup grief revealed something deeper — lineage, ancestors, and the responsibility of being the light in my family line. Brandi Praxton spoke life into me and reminded me that “Doctor” isn’t just a title I earned. It’s part of my name. This is a quiet conversation about grief, inh...

In this episode, we sit with Angela (@PurpleReign1220)—an author, a mother, and a woman stepping into a new chapter after navigating difficult seasons. She shares how intentional naming, love for Black names, and the example of a strong mother shaped the way she shows up for her own children. A thoughtful conversation about resilience, legacy, and becoming the kind of parent you once needed.

In this episode of Given Name , Daniel Holder (@disruptourdan) shares the story behind his name and the journey that shaped it. Born in London and now living in the States, Daniel reflects on childhood, family, and the meaning carried through names across generations. He talks about the care he’s putting into naming his own children, including the significance of biblical names and their meanings....

In Proud to Be a Paxton , we sit with Brandi as she shares a name story rooted in pride, lineage, and legacy. Brandi reflects on growing up in a family she lovingly describes as DC royalty, her deep admiration for her father, and how her own middle name honors his. That tradition continues with her son, whose name was lovingly decided through a blend of family input, intuition, and a godfather who...

In this episode of Given Name , Tenisha (@Nish2Sweet) shares the story behind her name — and the many nicknames that followed her through different seasons of life. From names shaped by family and sports to the joy of naming others, Tenisha reflects on how names hold memory, identity, and connection. Come listen as we explore the very first gift we’re given: our name.