A BRITISH ACTOR and film maker whose parents gave her the legal name ‘Cheryl’ to ‘fit in’ has written a children’s book about the importance of different cultures and names to help future generations be proud to stand out.
Chidinma Ifunanyachi was born and brought up in Camberwell, south-east London to British Nigerian parents who were very proud of their heritage. However, when it came to naming their children, they were concerned they would face bullying and racism so gave her the legal first name of Cheryl as they also feared people would struggle to pronounce Chidinma, how she was known to family.
Chidinma explains: “My mum’s side of the family comes from the Igbo tribe. My Igbo name is Chidinma, which means God is good, but on my birth certificate and all my legal documentation, my first name is Cheryl.
“Growing up I had one name at school and a different one and home. Don’t get me wrong, I love my legal name, but it does not ring true of my ancestry and while I understand my parents wanted to reduce the risk of bullying and racism, or me being treated differently due to having an African name I don’t think it is something families should have to do.
“Sadly, this is still happening and where is doesn’t, a lot of people are getting used to having their names shortened or said wrongly.”
The book, based on real life experiences of children Chidinma knew, and aimed at four- to 10 -year-old children, is called ‘The importance of Names’. It follows the story of Sekpurualakelechi, a little girl who is bullied by her classmates for having a long name which is unfamiliar to them.
Wanting to fit in and stop the teasing and upset about having a long name she tells her classmates to call her Sophie. But when her aunt overhears her called Sophie she explains to her niece the importance of her name and how much it links to her origin and how she came to be. With that knowledge Sekpurualakelechi learns to love her name and uniqueness.
The book is for everyone that has a name that isn’t the easiest to pronounce and for anyone who thinks it doesn’t matter about getting a person’s name correct, even when it is unfamiliar to you.
Chidinma, who now lives in Willesden Junction in north-west London, said: “I hadn’t written anything like this before, but I had heard so many stories about children growing up in London who were forced to answer to the wrong name or a different name, sometimes even by teachers who have asked to call the child something totally different which is totally unacceptable.”
In a Britain where people are allowed to choose their own pronouns and identify in way that is most authentic to them, Chidinma believes not everyone is afforded the same respect when it comes to names. And while some people might not get the pronunciation of culturally different names correct first time around the main thing is they attempt to and don’t try to change or shorten them without permission, as in many cultures a name is fundamental to a person’s identity.
Now pursuing a successful career as an actor and screenwriter, Chidinma was in no doubt which name she wanted to hear being called out when she finds herself on the red carpet.
She said: “I’m so proud of my heritage. Once I decided I was going to be an actor, I knew it was my duty to make sure people know my origin. It’s important everyone knows that I am British Nigerian. So, difficult to pronounce or not, there will come a point where people will have no option but to pronounce my name properly, because they will not be able to escape seeing it everywhere.”
The Importance of Names is available to buy in paperback on Amazon priced £12.
