Does My Name Really Define Me...Or Do I Define It?

Hello, my dear readers! I hope this blog post finds you well. If you've been reading my blog for the past few months you know that my Indian posts have come to an end. I'm back in the States and it's time to move onto new topics. I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to make the transition, but I feel like the topic of this post is a nice one to move on with. So, without further adieu...

I'm a big fan of the paranormal and taboo. I like the idea that behind the little things there lies something bigger, deeper. Though I believe in free will, the idea of having our lives pre-planned for us ("fate") always intrigued me. The idea that our names are somehow destined to be ours and they define our personality, always made me look at my own name. Now I , usually, go by Tasha, but my full first name is Natasha. The origins of this name stem from Russia, however, it can be found in the north of India, as well. The meanings differ among the two countries.

In Russia, Natasha means one who was born on Christmas. In India, Natasha means hope. Well, I am a winter baby, but I was born a bit ahead of Christmas,so the Russian meaning is kind of knocked out. Hope? Whose hope am I? It could be argued that I am the hope of my parents, but, if you ask me, that's too general. If the hope of parents is the case, then, my name could be definitive of almost anyone. It seems like the Indian meaning is kicked out as well. Hm, so far it seems like my name isn't meshing with me so well. But, wait!



According to SheKnows.com:
"SoulUrge Number: 3

People with this name have a deep inner desire to create and express themselves, often in public speaking, acting, writing or singing. They also yearn to have beauty around them in their home and work environment.

Expression Number: 1

People with this name tend to initiate events, to be leaders rather than followers, with powerful personalities. They tend to be focused on specific goals, experience a wealth of creative new ideas, and have the ability to implement these ideas with efficiency and determination. They tend to be courageous and sometimes aggressive. As unique, creative individuals, they tend to resent authority, and are sometimes stubborn, proud, and impatient."

If I was a nonbeliever before, I'm close to believing now. I promise this is not my ego talking. The two paragraphs above have me pegged down almost exactly. I have always been a creative person and my way of expressing this creativity was through my writing (I enjoy drawing, singing and dancing, as well, but writing is more my niche). I love interior design and like my space to always be representative of me. I have been in several leaderships positions, but I've been a follower before, too. I am goal oriented, scheduled, organized (I try to be at least), stubborn, hard headed and prefer to do my own thing instead of having people tell me what to do. That's it! I am a believer. I am the way I am because of my name. This means if I was given another name I wold have been a different person. I would have had a different personality,so, then...

I am only 5 weeks older than my cousin,so, we were in the womb at the same time. As soon to be mothers like to do, there was a lot of debate and discussion about names. Initially, my mother didn't think of the name Natasha. No, she wanted to name me Octavia. My "Aunt" had wanted to name her daughter Natasha, but when she heard the name mentioned she, according to my mother, "stole" it. So, the two names were switched. I, the should have been Octavia, was name Natasha. My cousin, the should have been Natasha, was named Octavia. And we were destined from that moment, right?

Well, if you look up the meaning behind Octavia on SheKnows.com you're told it means born on the eighth. It also says...

"SoulUrge Number: 8

People with this name have a deep inner desire to lead, organize, supervise, and to achieve status, power and wealth.

Expression Number: 8

People with this name are competent, practical, and often obtain great power and wealth. They tend to be successful in business and commercial affairs, and are able to achieve great material dreams. Because they often focus so strongly on business and achievement, they may neglect their private lives and relationships."

Though we were only cousins, Octavia and I grew up like sisters. We almost always lived with each other, we went to the same elementary and middle school. Our family even liked to dress alike (lovely memories). Needless to say, we've spent enough  time together,so, that I can confidently say we know each other well enough. I can, also, confidently say the descriptions above do not match my cousin. Sure, she's a trendsetter, likes to do her own thing (without any regard to others) and she always talks about "getting that green." However, my cousin is too "chill" (lazy) to develop any leadership skills she has into their full potential. Competent? Practical? She has made several decisions that were anything but. These decisions were made so that she could keep her "rep" intact. Her focus isn't on business or achievement, but on  her image. To sum it up, SheKnows.com messed up with my cousin. Now I'm just confused. I was described correctly, but my cousin wasn't so, does my name define me (us) or do I (we) define it?

What do you guys think? Do you believe that names actually place certain characteristics on a person? Or are names just meaningless letters placed in a certain order to identify us in society? If I had been named Octavia would I have turned out different somehow? Let me know what you think! I hope to hear from you soon. Until next time.