Beginning of Seas: What’s In a Name?

We’ve all encountered those inevitable icebreaker sessions where we’re prompted to share a fun fact about ourselves. Over time, I’ve compiled a handful of go-to facts to rotate whenever it’s my turn. One of those intriguing tidbits is that I belong to the select few who had the privilege to choose their own given name. When the moment came to become a naturalized citizen, I seized the opportunity and selected the name “Chloe.” Curiously, there are instances when my name feels like more than just a label—it transforms into an alter ego, a public identity. Yet, this “alter ego” remains an integral part of who I am. After all, the term “alter ego” is simply Latin for “other I” or “second self.”

Throughout my journey, I’ve assumed a few different “egos” through various name changes. Even my transition to the United States included the Anglicization of my Korean name, creating a distinctive contrast. My family name shifted from its original context to become a last name, and my given name, when spelled using the Latin-script alphabet, doesn’t invite the same pronunciation it does in Korean. Additionally, upon marriage, I embraced yet another name change, following Western tradition.