Ana Valentina

SOL Tuesday 2 Minutes

I’ve always liked my name.

Sitting on my desk in 7th grade, fourth row from the front, my Math teacher calls my name as she takes attendance. Ana Valentina.

I call my best high school friend, Vivi, and her mom answers, recognizing my voice. Hola, Ana Valentina.

I get home after a late class, ready to smell my mom’s cooking. She greets me and reminds me to finish folding the laundry. Ana Valentina.

My dad calls me to see Elena on video; we catch up in short sentences. He’s happy to see my face. Ana Valentina.

My name rings school memories, carries the voices of all my family members. They say it, and my heart skips. Ana Valentina or Valen.

I meet people and share the story of my second-choice name and how my mom wanted to name me Mariana. Perhaps a slice for another time. Ana Valentina. A perfect pair.

When I got married, I chose to change my name. In Venezuela, women don’t do that. They simply attach their spouse’s last name to theirs. I would have been Ana Valentina Chavez OF Patton. But I didn’t want that. For various reasons, I wanted my new family’s name to replace the two previous surnames. Carrying one’s family name is a layered issue.

I had so many names. Ana after my mom. Valentina was my great-grandma. There was a third name in there, Mayela, but it disappeared between rounds of legal paperwork. Then my two last names: Chavez, my father’s, and Briñez, my mom’s.

My long name was always an amusing story to tell. And when it was time to change it, it felt like a deeply emotional closet cleaning: What do I keep, what do I say goodbye to?

I don’t think I need to keep a name to honor my family or to carry parts of them with me into the future. They are me. Wherever I go, they will go.

So, what will it be? Ana Patton?

No. I need the Valentina.

At work, I’m known as Ana Patton, but lately, my full name has emerged in emails and posts. Reading it and hearing others speak it felt good, like suddenly, those people knew me better. By using it, they bring forth my family and friends to my present. I am no longer Ana back then and Ana right now; I’m simply the same person: Ana Valentina.

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Published by Ana Valentina Patton

I aim to be a learner, not a knower. If I forget, please remind me.

Published

7 thoughts on “Ana Valentina”

  2. “A rose by any other name…” Perhaps—but names have such power and story, emotion and substance. It’s wonderful that the Valentina is rising to the surface in your interactions with others so organically. They know you, so they can call you fully. I can almost feel that warmth they send in those added four syllables.

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  3. I enjoyed learning about the origins of your name.

    I can relate to having mixed feelings about the name change. Ultimately, I didn’t take my husband’s last name. Sometimes people call me Mrs. Schaefer and I’m like, “Who?” (I think of my mother-in-law, who is now deceased, since she was a teacher and was known as “Mrs. Schaefer.” at school.)

    Like Denise commented, the conclusion of this piece was poignant.

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  4. I really enjoyed reading your thinking about your name. I appreciated the glimpse into various times & ways your name has been used. This reminded me of my struggle when I was getting married – do I change my last name or not?

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  6. Ana Valentina, such a beautiful post! I feel I know you better now too. I love the conclusion here that you are no longer the old and new Ana, but “simply the same person.” Of course, and it’s nice that others are able to see more of the complete YOU! So beautiful.

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