What’s the meaning of your name? Most of us probably grew up hearing that question. But, how often do we truly consider the answer?
Names are given to us at birth. It happens long before we understand the weight they carry. We don’t know the journey they predict. Yet over time our names often show aspects of who we become or aspire to be. They can be sources of strength, symbols of identity, or even quiet whispers of guidance as we navigate life. “Hi. My name is Namhla” is how I always open a conversation. When I think about my name, I find it’s more than a word. It’s a story about how I approach life. It is shaped by both the simplicity and depth that this name holds.
“Namhla” means “today” in Xhosa. It sounds straightforward, but the implications run deep. Being called “today” is a reminder to live in the moment, to stay grounded in the here and now. Consider this: our attention is constantly pulled in every direction. Yesterday’s regrets and tomorrow’s anxieties create an endless cycle of past and future. In such a world, a name like mine becomes an anchor. It’s a word that demands presence. But it also holds me accountable to each moment, to each choice, and to the responsibility of making today meaningful.
What does it mean to live fully in the moment? It sounds easy in theory, but in practice staying mindful can be one of the hardest things to do. Life pulls us ahead with dreams and expectations, while it holds us back with memories and regrets.
It’s rare to find someone who can say they are truly living in the moment. They are unburdened by the past. They are unconcerned with the future. Yet, that’s exactly what Namhla encourages me to do.
My name is a daily reminder to focus on what’s right in front of me. I must let go of distractions that might cloud my vision. It’s not about ignoring the past. It’s not about dismissing the future. It’s about trusting that what matters most is what I do with the time I have now.
As a journalist, the significance of Namhla resonates even more deeply. Journalism, at its core, is about capturing the pulse of the current moment. We report on the stories, events, and voices that shape our lives today. It’s an industry where yesterday’s news is already old. We’re always working in real-time, in the immediacy of now. My name reminds me of my responsibility to stay engaged with the world as it is in this moment. It encourages me to tell the stories that matter now. I must make sure that my work remains relevant to today’s audience.
But Namhla also teaches me something valuable beyond the news cycle.
It reminds me to be attentive with people. I truly listen when they share their stories and struggles. I see the humanity in their experiences. When I sit with someone for an interview, I think about the fleeting nature of these moments. I consider their power when I report on a community issue. It pushes me to make every interaction count. I strive to be fully there. I honor the trust that people place in me. In a sense, my name isn’t just guiding my career. It’s guiding my character. It reminds me to value connection, authenticity, and compassion in all that I do.
There’s also a layer of responsibility that comes with carrying a name like Namhla. Every day is an invitation to rise to the meaning of my name. I am encouraged to make choices that reflect who I am today. It’s about today, not who I was or who I be tomorrow. It’s easy to get bogged down by mistakes from yesterday. Missed opportunities can also weigh heavily. Or, there’s the tendency to get caught up in endless planning for the future. But my name reminds me that neither of those things should define me.
Namhla means I am defined by what I do with this day, this moment.
It’s about constantly evolving. I am willing to let go of what no longer serves me. I embrace the freedom that comes with a fresh start each morning.
For anyone reading this, I invite you to think about your own name.
What meaning does it hold for you?
Has it shaped you in ways you didn’t expect?
Sometimes, our names become self-fulfilling prophecies; other times, they are challenges that push us to grow. Whether you feel empowered by it or struggle with it, there’s a story there worth exploring. I believe our names are more than labels. They are reflections of who we are. They also signify who we will become.
As for me, I’ll continue to live with the gift of my name, Namhla, taking each day as it comes. I’ll keep learning to be here. I’ll embrace life as it is today. I will be grateful for every opportunity to make now meaningful. After all, in a world that’s always looking ahead or backward, there’s something powerful. It’s about being exactly where you are. Embrace right here, right now.
