Saab Magalona’s recent post gives us another fascinating look into the mind of kids, as she recounts an endearing anecdote about her son Vito. It seems that young Vito has taken a fancy to a new name or moniker, eagerly insisting that his teachers and classmates call him as “Mayor Vito.” Adorably enough, he even proudly writes it on his worksheets.
Saab wrote, “Vito asked his teacher and classmates to call him MAYOR ever since. No, he doesn’t know what a MAYOR is. He said it’s like John MAYOR [laughing and heart emojis]. Now, he actually writes it on his worksheets [smile with sweat emoji].
Saab: “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”
Taking after his parents in more ways than one, it turns out that Vito’s penchant for name-changing isn’t entirely unique. Saab revealed, “Apparently @jimbacarro did the same thing when he was the only Asian boy in his class in the States. He told his classmates to call him Mackenzie, I think?? I know I told my grade school classmates that my name was actually Elizabeth. Hahahaha. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree [apple emoji].”
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What’s in a name
Experts suggest that for children, their names hold significant importance as one of the first words they understand and identify with. So it is quite possible that a child’s fascination with adopting alternate names stems from their vivid imagination and a desire for identity exploration. It could be that they’re exploring different rules and personas, often inspired by their surroundings, their family members, or even admired figures.
In the Smart Parenting Team, we’ve encountered similar instances. One team member’s child insists on being called “Elsa,” inspired of course by the beloved Disney character from Frozen. Meanwhile, another child has taken to using the name “WOH” in all her worksheets, simply because it comprises the first letters she learned to write.
A quick search on the Internet also shows that this phenomenon or phase is quite common among young kids. One parent shared that her 4-year-old begged them to call her “Wednesday Christmas Enid,” which she admits is already a big improvement from the previously requested “Poopybutt sparkle.” Another recounted how their husband, as a child, preferred his middle name for its ease of writing and has stuck with it ever since.
Reflecting on this phase, one parent mused, “I’m pretty sure most kids have a phase of wanting to change their name…I actually think it’s a normal part of developing your own identity as you grow. If you feel like it, go along with them for a few weeks and see how long it takes them to get bored.”
So, if your little one suddenly volunteers a new name, don’t feel bad about the hours you spent selecting their original names. Chances are, they are just exploring and trying out an “identity.”
Did your child have his/her preferred name of their own? Share it with us!
Are you interested in legally changing your child’s name? Read this article to learn more.
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