I’m so happy and honored to tell everyone that thursday was the day I finally changed my name legally! I’m set to get my new ID card this week!
I’m 17 years old so my parents had to make the legal change, but I’m the one who chose the name, and it means so much to me…
I can’t describe the excitement and the weight that was dropped from my shoulders after living 17 years with a first name I’ve always hated, and not only that, but there are five other girls with the same exact name and middle name in my school, and one girl with the same exact name, middle name and surname in my class!
Nameberry was so helpful, and after researching countless lists and meanings and considering a gazillion names during the period of three years, I settled on the name [name_f]Aliza[/name_f].
It’s simple, yet original, playful spelling but not tacky, and it’s a very Jewish name which is what I wanted, considering I’m Jewish.
[name_f]Aliza[/name_f] comes from the Hebrew עליזה which means “Joyful” and for someone who has struggled with depression for years, being called “Joyful” meant a lot. It’s also one of the ancient Biblical nicknames for Jerusalem, coming from “Kiryat [name_f]Aliza[/name_f]” meaning “Joyful City” in Hebrew.
My name has officially changed from [name_f]Anna[/name_f] [name_f]Gabriella[/name_f] to [name_f]Aliza[/name_f] [name_f]Gabriella[/name_f], and my full name means in Hebrew “Joyful God is my strength.”
The idea of naming myself [name_f]Aliza[/name_f] came to me while I was crying and praying alone. It was a very dark time, and when I asked God when I was going to be Joyful, He answered, and told me this was my name.
Not trying to push my religion on anyone, just telling how I decided the name, this is a safe space for people of all faiths and people who don’t have one.
