What’s in a name? For ‘India Witkin’, it’s a journey of self-love

Meet ‘India Witkin’, a woman who’s learned to love her name, and in the process, discovered the power of self-acceptance. Born and raised in New York, India’s journey with her unique name has been a rollercoaster of emotions, from feeling embarrassed to being grateful for the cultural connection it brings.

Growing up, India’s name was often a conversation starter — sometimes for the wrong reasons. She faced teasing in the US and questioning in India, leaving her feeling stuck between two worlds. But as she navigated her way through life, India began to see her name in a different light. She realised it wasn’t just a label, but a connection to her heritage and roots.

She posted on Instagram, “I grew up having such a love-hate relationship with my name. I was teased in America, then questioned in India… I cared too much about what people thought and never appreciated the uniqueness of my name." But she’s not alone. Many have shared their own stories of struggling with their names, and India’s journey is a reminder that it’s okay to be different.

With a fresh perspective, India now sees her name as a symbol of her identity and connection to her roots. “Finally at 18 as I entered adulthood, I started to come around to it. Now at 29 years old I love it and am so grateful to my nani for coming up with it. Thank you to my parents!" she shares.

India’s story has sparked a conversation about the power of names and identity.

As one social media user noted, “Famous South African cricketer Jhonty Rhodes and Australian cricketer David Warner named their daughters India and Indie because of their attachment with this country." Another wrote, “What better way to honor your roots!,” while a third reacted, “If people can be named Bharat and Bharati then you can be named India.”

As Shakespeare’s Juliet once said, “What’s in a name?" Indeed, a name may be just a label, but it’s a label that can inspire, empower, and connect us to our roots.

Diaspora