'I'm changing my name because my parents named me after a drug'
A 28-year-old woman has taken to the internet to ask for help on choosing a new name for herself - after disclosing that her parents named her after a herbal drug.
A woman is considering a name change due to her parents' decision to name her after a drug. Naming a child is a significant task for many parents, as they must select a moniker that will suit their offspring both in childhood and adulthood.
While some parents opt for popular, traditional names, others choose unique ones, which can sometimes lead to issues for the child. Most people retain the names given to them at birth, but there are instances where individuals decide to change their names in adulthood, a decision that can be even more challenging.
A 28-year-old woman turned to Reddit to seek advice on choosing a new name, revealing that her parents named her after a recreational narcotic. She told the forum that her birth name was Sativa, "as in Cannabis sativa."
In her post, she elaborated: "Although I think my name is pretty, I have faced a few problems.
"As a child, friends' parents not wanting their kid to hang out with me because of my name, odd stares and jokes when i'm introduced ('Do you have any twin named Indica?' is one I get a lot), having trouble applying to jobs, and just not being taken seriously. So I have decided to change it."
Cannabis sativa plants are tall and slender with finger-like leaves, known for producing a 'mind high' or an energising, anxiety-reducing effect.
In contrast, Cannabis indica plants are short and stout with bushy greenery and chunky leaves, reports the Mirror. According to Healthline, Indica is "sought after for its intensely relaxing effects".
Sativa has decided to change her name, particularly as she plans to have children soon and the thought of her child introducing her as 'my mum, Sativa' makes her feel "uncomfortable."
But she also realised that choosing a new name for herself is not as straightforward as she initially believed.
The Reddit user elaborated: "I would like something classic but unique since having a different name is one of the things I do enjoy about my name. I need help choosing a name for myself. Help me, Reddit."
Her plea has attracted 1,500 upvotes and nearly 800 comments with name suggestions. And several users offered ideas that were close to her birth name.
The top comment suggests: "Sylvia? Kinda similar to Sativa, but it's an established name that I don't hear very often." Another person proposed: "Or Sylvie. Prettier in my opinion."
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A third chimed in: "One of my partner's friends named his baby Sylvia, and I loved the name immediately. It's a good choice if OP doesn't want to change the sound of their name too much."
Another commenter recommended the name Saskia, with someone responding: "I was going to suggest this.
"It has similar sounds, so will most likely be easier to get used to than something that sounds completely different.
"Really pretty and uncommon, but not so unusual that people would have a hard time with it. Truly a beautiful option."
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