No Shame In My Name

Philippa has always been curious about her name – in all its forms – and with its intriguing meaning.  The curiosity is not lost in this episode, as she whimsically shares her name-story.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamepod.

Shasha was given his Shona name by his Father, to mark victory, accomplishment and a legacy of excellence. Listen as Shasha shares what it means to carry the name of a champion.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamepod.

Nehemiah’s name comes from the biblical character who was instrumental in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. It’s a name that Nehemiah describes as ‘outlandish’, yet one that he has grown to love. Listen as he shares his name-story, with a curious and inquisitive spirit.   If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram t...

Growing up, the pressures of assimilation led Sagal to create distance with all things Somali – including her name.  Listen as she shares her name-story, revealing her process of overcoming shame and her journey to embracing a rich and layered culture.   If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @nosh...

In Yoruba, Adjani’s name translates to ‘He who has won a struggle'. Listen as he shares his name-story, revealing a deep and intricate tale of discovery, victory and reclamation.   If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamepod.

David’s Yoruba middle name is all about joy. Listen as he shares his perspective on the importance of names, as well as the places where he finds joy.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.   We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamepod.

For Pamela – fondly known as ‘The Pamela Alfred’, names are prophetic. It’s no coincidence that her Igbo name literally pronounces the promises of God. Listen as she shares her name-story, reflecting on the influence of God's faithfulness in her life.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @nosh...

From Afghanistan to London – via Pakistan and India, listen as Shabnam shares her name-story, offering an insight into the Farsi language and the place she calls home.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamepod. 

Koehun’s name marks a deeply emotional era in Sierre Leone’s history. In this episode, listen as she observes her Mende name as a living memory of the past.  If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.   We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamepod.

Throughout Ishana’s life, her first name in particular has evoked something of an identity crisis. Listen as she explores the meanings of her name with light-hearted anecdotes and a refreshing perspective on education.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamepod.

Swarzy’s name-story screams freedom. Not only does it mark the affirmation that she has received from family, but in many ways it’s a witness of her Christian faith. Listen as she shares anecdotes tied to her name, concluding on a powerful note about life and legacy.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram too!...

Since she was a child, Rebekah has contemplated the significance of names.  Even into adulthood, in life and in business – names have taken on great value. Listen as she reflects on the name that was gifted to her; a name that has always made her feel special.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram too! Follow...

As a storyteller, Lanaire is conscious of the weight of words. In this episode she offers a poetic thesis on names as a vehicle to archive history, art and life.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamepod.  

Tito’s names represent the duality of his background. One side Yoruba; the other side Esan. Listen as he beautifully offers a balanced account of his name-story, expressing the power it has to preserve a culture that might otherwise be forgotten.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshamein...

Polina’s last name is foreign even by the standards of her native country – Bulgaria. Ironically it makes sense, considering the translation that has been agreed upon by her family members. In this episode, listen as she celebrates the story of her name, whilst giving us an insight into Bulgaria’s unique name-day tradition.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: nosh...

Isiah (commonly known as Ike) was named after his Father, a tradition in his family that has been carried over four generations. In this episode, listen as he presents a portrait of his name-story, revealing an extraordinary lesson about the power of names to build strong emotional connections despite distance.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepo...

In this episode, we briefly revisit the origins of the podcast, reminiscing on some moments from the first two seasons.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamepod.

Joseph’s names are a reflection of his unique Kalabari and Yoruba heritage, combined with the story of his mother’s answered prayer for a son. Listen as he shares his name-story, bringing home the importance of names with meanings.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.     We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamepod.

Ever since she can remember, Veronica has been fascinated with names. It’s clear, as she eloquently dissects the layers of her own name Igbo name - Ezinne. Listen as she shares her name-story, exploring an expansive view of motherhood.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.    We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamepod.  

Joseph and Gbenga have a lot in common: from their Lagos origins, to their London upbringing. However, their tribal differences are marked in the shadow of a troubling Nigerian history. Listen as they share their name-stories, reflecting on language, life and the places they call home.  If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.    We’re also o...

Kuzivakwashe translates to ‘The knowledge of God’ in the Shona language. For Dennis, it doesn’t just speak to an important spiritual reminder, but it tells the story of the influence of positive role models.  Listen as he shares his name-story and more.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.    We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @nos...

Hannah’s name is a reminder of the faithfulness of God through a season of waiting and wrestling - a theme that has followed her throughout her life. In this episode she shares her name-story, reflecting on its biblical inspiration and more.   If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, send us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.    We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamep...

In the Igbo culture, names are not mere labels, but as Chibundu puts it, ‘they are sentences.’ Listen as she gives an eloquent yet entertaining account of her name-story.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, please do drop us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.    We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamepod.

Some see names as a trivial matter. Obehi sees names as something far more weightier. Listen as he shares his name-story, including an introduction to his Esan culture.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, please do drop us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.    We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinmynamepod.

The name Ọghẹnẹfẹga is rare. So rare that it attracts a certain curiosity, even amongst native Urhobo people. In this episode, listen as Fega shares her name-story, reflecting on a long, but worthwhile journey to embracing her name.    If you’re interested in sharing your name-story, please do drop us an email: noshameinmynamepod@gmail.com.    We’re also on Instagram too! Follow us @noshameinm...