Akka's Unsolicited Advice

Send us Fan MailWhat’s in a name? More than most people realize.Welcome to Season 2 of Akka's Unsolicited Advice! We're back with a conversation inspired by the recent debate surrounding Indian Americans who anglicize or adapt the pronunciation of their names. While the internet often treats it as a simple choice, the reality is much more personal.In this episode, we share the stories behind our names, what they mean to our families, and how they've changed depending on the spaces we've occupied-- from our homes to our classrooms, workplaces, and everywhere in between. We explore the tension between preserving culture and navigating a world where not everyone is willing to learn your name, and how those experiences shape our sense of identity.Ultimately, this episode isn't about deciding the "right" way to say a name. It's about recognizing that our names belong to us. Whether we choose to use the traditional pronunciation, adapt it, shorten it, or embrace different versions in different spaces, that choice is ours, and ours alone.Because our names tell our stories, but we get to decide how they're told.