I was that one student whose teachers would pause on reading the roster list once they came across my name for the first time. I was also that one customer who employees would automatically assume was a guy when they came across my name.
I guess I’m one of those people who wonder what makes my two-syllable name difficult to pronounce, though I have been more understanding with people thinking the name belongs to a guy. After all, my mother’s own doctor believed me to be a boy when they were doing ultrasounds.
Henritz Joy is my full first name.
I do have a separate middle name and of course my last name. I was given my first name by my godmother when I was a couple of days old (with my parents thinking they were going to have a boy, they didn’t have many girl names prepared).
It is a combination of my parents’ names: Henry and Joy.
I never had a problem with my name, nor did I ever ask to change it. Did I get bothered by people mispronouncing or thinking I’m a guy? Sometimes, sure. But it reminds me how unique my name is and that it holds more meaning than anyone would assume (the meaning that it’s a combination of two people’s names who created and would love me for eternity).
I remember getting my very first nickname when I was probably 9 or 10 years old. It was given by a childhood friend of mine who just said it so casually but still had me staring at him for a while because I wasn’t used to anyone calling me anything but my actual name.
The nickname: Ritz. Pretty obvious, but no doubt it has stuck with me since.
I also have others call me Ritzy, Joy, Joyce (given by a previous landlord. I began using this nickname for rideshares and when ordering at cafes), Henry (only one friend actually calls me this, and I never found out why), and Chicken-Soft drink (Hen=chicken, Ritz=the soda). I gave myself the nickname of Ritzbitzcookie (cute, I know).
Most people just call me Henritz, which is what I typically introduce myself as and the name mainly prefer.
I hadn’t fully used Henritz Joy until my college years when I guess I wanted people to realize the name belonged to a girl. And now, I’m using it as the name behind my brand name, and I’m quite fond of it.
My name being unique is great, but it does have at least one trait that gets me stumbling. It’s unique in that it’s easy for others to identify who they’re looking for, especially when I’m just trying to blend in with the crowd. When people are looking for me, all they have to do is say my name and most eyes typically go my way – at least those who know me.
On the funny side, I often like to joke around that I’m the CEO of the Ritz Sodas or Ritz Crackers or Ritz Carlton Hotel. Of course, no one believed me, but it’s always a good laugh telling my friends that they’re eating or drinking my brand, or staying at my hotel.
This was a little inside scoop of my name.
I did have a couple of people ask me about it before and thought it would be interesting to share it with the online community.
I love my name. I wouldn’t change it for the world. It is a part of me, and it is the most solid form of identity I have of myself that I never want to lose or give up.
