There are not many things in our country everyone shares or has in common. One thing, however, all of us share is that we all have a name. Names are our identity. We are what we call ourselves.

I was born in a small town in Sweden, and I came to the United States not too long ago. However, when I came here, I realized that people would be confused about my name, as I have three legal first names but go by my third one, Hampus, which in Sweden was my legally-preferred name. I had a friend who, many years ago, jokingly asked me, “Why have you got so many names?” to which I replied, “There’s a saying in Sweden that a loved child has many names.”

Weber State University has a total of 832 international students, coming from all corners of the world. The international community at Weber brings a diverse feeling to WSU and to the city of Ogden. One of those students is Renu Dhanuk, a WSU student from Nepal.

“My name holds significant meaning in shaping my identity. ‘Renu’ is from Sanskrit and means ‘radiant,’ which symbolizes purity and vitality,” Renu said. “It reflects the cultural values and aspirations of my family. My major is Associate of Health Science. My name reminds me of my journey and the cultural legacy that drives my ambitions. It presents a bridge between my past and future, guiding me as I build my professional path while staying true to my heritage.”

During one of my semesters here at Weber State, I sat in a classroom when the professor walked in and introduced himself and his class. He asked who was an international student in the class, some raised their hands. Next, he asked, “Which one of you would like to stay in the United States after you graduate from Weber State?” Some raised their hands again. He then said that to fit in the United States, they should change their names to something “easier” or “more American.”

I feel that is an attack on my identity, I am not anyone else; my name is Hampus, regardless of where I live. I reflect on how we are our names: I am Hampus, and Hampus is me. If I am not Hampus, then who am I?

Gordon Allport, one of the founders of personality psychology, famously said, “The most important anchorage to our self-identity throughout life remains our own name.”

Afterward, I felt that the power of my name is stronger than I might have thought before. Was it more important to fit into the America the professor lives in or to be myself? My thoughts then wandered to Hampus at age 14, who said to himself, “I will be myself, regardless of what people think of me.”

I have always felt welcome at Weber State and in a country I now view as my home. I hope everyone who comes here — international students, immigrants, or whoever they might be — can look at their name and be proud of their identity and themselves for how far they have come.

I hope whoever can relate to the struggle for identity and name may remember the Swedish saying, “A loved child has many names.” I hope all students and people will believe they fit in and that their names, identities or heritage cannot be taken away from them.