What’s in a 3-letter name?

ANI AMIRKHANIAN

I have one of the most common Armenian names ever. The name Ani could

very well be the most common female name in the Armenian language.

In school, growing up, there would be at least two Anis in every

class. When the teacher would call on one Ani, another Ani would

immediately respond to her name as well.

Some of my friends in school were named Ani. There was one year,

in the third or fourth grade, that there were four Anis, including

myself, in the same class.

This was the most challenging task for the teacher, who had to

figure out a way to call on each Ani without causing confusion for

herself and the Anis. Usually, she called out “Ani” followed by the

first letter of the girl’s last name. I was Ani A. There were three

other girls: Ani H., Ani V. and Ani T.

I encountered more Anis throughout elementary school. Then by

middle school and high school, the number of Anis decreased. I met

people with names other than Ani, but sure enough, with each class,

at least one person would be named Ani.

My name is not only common, but it is also short, and easy to

write and pronounce. I’d like to think this is the case, but for some

people it is a very difficult task.

It amazes me how many people actually mispronounce my name and

have difficulty remembering it. My last name, I can understand -- its

difficult, considering it has 11 letters, and most people who attempt

to say it, can’t, let alone write it. But the truth is, the majority

of Armenian last names are difficult to pronounce, with the exception

of a few that are common.

My first name is misleading at times. When I introduce myself as

Ani, I enunciate the best I can and in response I get, “Hello Anna,

it’s nice to meet you.”

Other names I am often called are, Anne, Anya, Ari or my personal

favorite Amy. I never understood how Ani sounds like Amy.

Then there are people who think my name is exotic and mysterious.

There is certainly nothing exotic or mysterious about the name Ani in

the Armenian community.

“How do you spell it?” I get asked frequently. Or people attempt

to spell my name before I can spell it out myself.

O-N-Y is a common misspelling. It’s rather amusing and frustrating

at times when the dissection of my name becomes an ordeal for the

confused and curious individual.

I would think since Armenians have made Glendale their home for

more than 10 years now, the name Ani would be easily recognized by

non-Armenians and the community at large.

I will never forget a professor I had in college who called me

“Ari” the entire length of the semester. He would look at the roster,

stare at my name and then ponder till he thought he finally had

learned to pronounce it correctly.

At first I thought there was a typo on the roster, or that he was

unable to read my handwriting.

“Do my Ns look like Rs?” I asked him one day.

“No, no,” he said, and then claimed he had trouble reading his own

handwriting.

True, my name poses a challenge for people, and there is nothing

that I can do about it.

But my name also helps maintain my Armenian identity, and for that

reason I am grateful to have a name that is common.