My name’s real origin is from biblical times, meaning “Gift from God.”  But to many strangers, peers, and myself, my name is just another common name.  I don’t think of my name any differently than other people would think of my name.  It is simple, but it is quite easy to say. My name is Matt.

Matt is just one syllable.  It is easy to say, but also represents how simple I think I am as a person.  I have a one track mind, and I go about my business as it should be gone about.  I don’t care for drama, which is why I’m satisfied that Matt isn’t a dramatic name.

The name supposedly came from a distant branch of my father’s family.  I have asked my parents why they chose this name over any of the other names in our family history, and I have still never gotten a straight answer.  I think my parents just liked the name and did not want to overcomplicate things.

I have heard stories that my parents used to argue about what to name me.  My father was dead-set on naming me “Thorbjorn,” or “Thor” for short. It would have represented my Swedish heritage, but my name would have shown strength and power, just like the Norse god of thunder and lightning.

It would have been cool to be called “Thor” in school.  It would have been much more exciting than just “Matt.” The only really good nickname that pertains to my name would be “Ttam.”  A name that my friends came up with, it represents how opposite my personalities are inside versus outside of school. Ttam is a more outgoing, fun, and loosey-goosey version of Matt, who is more uniform and quiet.

Overall, I don’t think that I could even imagine myself with a different name.  I don’t think I would need a different name. Matt is a name that represents me best, and I wouldn’t change that even if I could.