Names are funny things. They’re given to us by our parents often before we are even born and we use them for the rest of our lives. Along the way, we acquire nicknames, misspellings and quite odd pronounciations.

My name is Kaitlin Johanna <insert last name here>. I’ll tell you that my surname is quite an unusual one, though only six letters long. It is of German origin, though the pronounciation has been changed by the English, or so I am told.

My first name means, apparently, ‘pure’. Naturally, that doesn’t mean anything at all to me. It’s vague and not at all specific. (It makes you wonder why I’ve memorised it, then, but I digress.) It is spelt with a K because my parents didn’t like the nickname ‘Cat’, but I like that slight variation. I’ve met quite a number of Kaitlins in my life, but very rarely do I meet one who spells their name exactly the same. And it’s vary rarely that anyone else does, too. I’ve got Caitlin and Katelyn and Katelynn and Catlyn and, when I’m lucky, Kaitlin. It’s actually a great game, seeing what spelling will come next. It’s nowhere near as fun as my surname, but I’ll get to that later.

Johanna. I have only one middle name, though I know there are people with more. My old flute teacher had two, and her brother had three, if I recall correctly. The new princess of Denmark’s name - Princess Isabella Henrietta Ingrid Margrethe - is one of the longest I have heard. (I’d be curious as to the longest name ever given, actually, if anybody knows.) My name comes from my great-great-great-great grandmother, or something to that effect. My parents were researching family history at the time and liked it.

And now we come to my surname. I love its uniqueness. It’s not a pretty-sounding name, by any means, but it’s fun to watch people try and pronounce it. “Kaitlin…er…uh…Sa…er…” I jump up. “Yes, that’s me.” They always look grateful and a little sheepish when I do. To be fair, it’s not that unusual, but it is a bit intimidating the first time ’round. I’ve met a few people who have got it in one, and I shall idolise them forever.

On the subject of names, there was a site I stumbled upon years ago called The Kabalarian Philosophy. At the time, I remember it accurately describing my friends and family by my simply inputting their name. Looking at it now, it is not quite as scarily accurate, but I shall share my results regardless. Put in your name and see what you think. Of course, as is the case with most things like this, the observations are fairly general and could probably apply to most people. Still, it’s interesting.

• Although the name Kaitlin creates the urge to be creative and original, we emphasize that it limits your versatility and scope, tuning you to technical details.
• This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses and accidents to the head, and the elimination system.
• Your first name of Kaitlin has made you a hard worker with a meticulous sense of detail.
• You have a great deal of patience and independence, and you can be relied upon to complete your undertakings.
• You could be inventive along scientific or practical lines.
• You are stable, trustworthy, homeloving, and logical in practical matters, but rather unresponsive to suggestions from others.
• You resist change.

What about you? Where does your name come from, and do you like it? If you could change your name, would you? What to?