Last Friday was my first poetry session with Twain 6th gradera. Since it was our first time meeting each other, we discussed the importance of names. Names are part of our identities; names are how we introduce ourselves to the world, names can have connections us to our families, religions, or cultures. But sometimes names can be uncomfortable or feel as if they don’t reflect our true personalities.
Together we read the poem, “Names,” by poet Nikkie Grimes from her book “Planet Middle School.” In her poem, Grimes writes in the voice of Joylin, a young girl who describes to readers, how she received her unique name. Joylin was my mother’s idea/she says she swelled the moment she knew I curled up inside her/She dreamed of pink frilly dresses and sweet tea parties. Joylin is interested in sports, which causes her brother to give her the annoying nickname of “Jockette.” She doesn’t feel as if her name fits the image of the “girly girl,” her mother wants her to be.
Inspired by Nikki Grimes’s poem, students wrote their own poems describe special meanings and stories behind their names.
Mr. Barr 6th grade
Group 1
My Name
By Nanigi A.
My name comes from Honduras.
“Mi Corazon” is its name.
I hate the way it sounds.
I hate the way it came.
My dad made the suggestion,
and my mom went along it.
I could’ve been Noami.
Oh god I hate my name.
Cora, nani, all cute nicknames
but it doesn’t change a thing.
I do NOT like my name.
I hate with everything.
Born Again
by Renata P.
Renata, a sweet name,
until I found out what it meant.
It means to be born again.
I like it, I love it.
I wouldn’t change it.
It is a very rare name.
I like being different then
the other girls,
I hang out with who
I want, when I want.
My name is Italian,
Portuguese, and Latin.
I love my name!
Lucas
By Lucas J.
Lucas
Lucas was the name my dad said.
My mom still sleeping.
My aunts in the waiting room.
The name Lucas came from a Greek God.
It stands for bringer of light.
It is also Latin.
My name is Lucas
And no one can take that from me.
Mr. Barr 6th grade
Group 2
Juan
By Juan D.
Juan
the religious name
which I can’t complain about.
I feel my life is
that name that describes me
and my religion
I feel blessed to have this name,
My name is Juan.
This name
This name means
(God is gracious)
My family and I feel
so blessed for my to
have this name
My name is Juan.
This name
this name is similar
similar to me
similar to my religion,
similar to my attitude,
similar to everything
My name is Juan.
My Unique Name
By Rodolfo M.
In Chicago as unique
as the name Rodolfo.
In Christmas season,
where I become a reindeer.
From the heavens,
my name keeps living,
in memory of my grandpa.
Oh, thank God for life giving.
My name as unique and
unpopular as a nerd kid
in a school but dang
how cool my name is.
Lilac
By Delilah O.
My name means delicate,
it comes from Delilah.
It matches with the
color purple.
Sometimes I wish I had
a different name.
I like my nicknames tho.
My mom and brother
call me Lilah (lie-luh)
or (lala). My brother
used to call me (lala)
but that was because
he couldn’t pronounce
Delilah.
There is two different
flowers that are similar
to my name.
Lilac and Dahlia (Doll-e-a).
Classmates also me Deliler.
I actually kind of like it.
I love my name.
Mr. Barr 6th grade
Group 3
Khary
By Khary C.
My name is Khary,
named after my Uncle
that had a heart defect.
I live up to my name
Being the
Son of Job
I will never give up
Even when a
hurricane hits.
Zoe
By Zoe R.
My name is Zoe,
it means “life.”
my parents gave me it.
Even if I don’t always
fee; full of life.
I still am grateful
for my name.
My name could be
spelled differently
it can be spelled,
Zoey, Zoie, Zoë.
But I think I will
just stick to spoiling
of my name.
My name has a biblical connection
it was used to translate the
Hebrew name of Eve.
My name is special to me,
because I in fact do look like
a Zoe. I love my name.
My Name
By Thanasis T.
Thanasis is my Grandpa’s name.
I don’t know why he was name that.
In my dad’s side,
it’s as tradition to repeat every
other person’s name.
My mom liked Gabriel,
but I prefer mine.
“Thanasis” is very common
in Greece, not so much
in America.
It means to live forever!
I don’t think it’s very true . . .
But I love my name.
It’s very true to me.
Mr. Barr 6th grade
Group 4
Romeo
By Romeo A.
Romeo was my father’s idea.
He was listening to his favorite singer,
Romeo Santos.
He didn’t know of a name for me,
so, he said the closet thing next to him.
“Gremlin,”
the name my siblings gave me.
I guess my dad thought
I would be a lady’s man.
I’d prefer to not be one.
My life is like cheese, it gets shredded
then it’s gone.
It’s sad to live with this name,
they call me “Romeo and Juliet.”
My name is still unique, I guess.
Maybe so.
My Identity
By Alejandra B.
My name
My name
the long word that describes me well.
My name crackling on people’s
tongues like firewood.
My name
My name
the word that I wish to change.
Nicknames with a long range.
My name
My name
the word that people know me most.
My name dosed
with sugar and spice
in the shadows of fame.
My name
My unique name.
Even though my name
isn’t close to my heart,
it’s been here
since the start.
Jesus
By Jesus L.
My name is Jesus.
My name means God saves
or Jehovah is salvation.
My name has a sad background,
so let me start with the beginning.
So, it started when my mom went
to get a checkup, everything was fine.
A week later when she goes to the
the hospital to check if I’m ok in
her belly, turns out I wasn’t.
Half my head was missing
and I also didn’t have a nose.
The doctors told my mom
she needed an abortion,
because if she gave birth
I’d be dead.
But she prayed and prayed.
And here I am.
My Name Is Alexandra
By Alexandra I.
My name
Unique like the others.
But still the same.
I was an energetic child,
til’ I was shot down.
I am living a double life.
in school they call me Alex.
At home it’s Ali.
As Alex I can be the stereotypical smart kid.
As Ali I put on a mask,
the type of the perfect kid with all A’s.
My father named me,
after Greek and Bible Origins.
Defender of mankind.
What a weird meaning,
but that couldn’t be me.
