I’ve a short name — Siba.
My birth certificate has a middle name — Siba Prasad Mohanty.
When I was fifteen, I was bestowed with immense power. I could change my name. I decided to merge my first and middle name while signing-up for my 10th board exam. Why? Because my teenage spirit thought middle names are lame. So now all my official records show — Sibaprasad Mohanty.
For the first seventeen years, all my friends, family, teachers have called me by my nick — Sibu.
Later at college, I realised my two syllable short name is often mispronounced.
Si-baa, Sib-baa became the new norm, apart from other friendly nicks — baba, bubbu, n a few disparaged ones! I failed miserably when I thought it’s easier to drop the ‘a’ from Siba and just Sib could be rad! A laughing stock.
In my professional career so far, only the native Odia folks say my name correctly — Siba and others go by Si-baa. I prefer my short name, even if slightly mispronounced, than being called Mr. Mohanty.
So, what’s my name?
It’s Siba [si-bɔː];
the ba ends with the vowel अ in Hindi, ଅ in Odia.
not si-baa, not sib-baa, definitely not si-bæ.
How much do I care?
Not much, as long as I know the caller is not intentionally vilifying my name. To them, I’ve nothing to say but — FU.
Why write this post?
As a reminder that identities are important and maybe someone will surprise me one day by calling me — Siba 🖖
My birth certificate has a middle name — Siba Prasad Mohanty.
When I was fifteen, I was bestowed with immense power. I could change my name. I decided to merge my first and middle name while signing-up for my 10th board exam. Why? Because my teenage spirit thought middle names are lame. So now all my official records show — Sibaprasad Mohanty.
For the first seventeen years, all my friends, family, teachers have called me by my nick — Sibu.
Later at college, I realised my two syllable short name is often mispronounced.
Si-baa, Sib-baa became the new norm, apart from other friendly nicks — baba, bubbu, n a few disparaged ones! I failed miserably when I thought it’s easier to drop the ‘a’ from Siba and just Sib could be rad! A laughing stock.
In my professional career so far, only the native Odia folks say my name correctly — Siba and others go by Si-baa. I prefer my short name, even if slightly mispronounced, than being called Mr. Mohanty.
So, what’s my name?
It’s Siba [si-bɔː];
the ba ends with the vowel अ in Hindi, ଅ in Odia.
not si-baa, not sib-baa, definitely not si-bæ.
How much do I care?
Not much, as long as I know the caller is not intentionally vilifying my name. To them, I’ve nothing to say but — FU.
Why write this post?
As a reminder that identities are important and maybe someone will surprise me one day by calling me — Siba 🖖