The Story Behind My Name

For most of my childhood, my name was just a name—Gaitrie Ramnarine—something my family called me with love and familiarity. But when I entered high school, it became something else entirely. It became a challenge, an obstacle, something that set me apart in a way that I wasn’t always comfortable with.

Growing up in the Bronx, surrounded by so many different cultures, I wasn’t the only kid with a unique name, but mine seemed especially hard for people to pronounce. Teachers would hesitate when they got to my name on the attendance list, sometimes butchering it completely, sometimes just giving up and asking, “Do you go by anything else?”

My classmates didn’t have the patience to figure it out either. Some took the easy way out, shortening it to “G” or “Gai”—names that didn’t feel like me but were easier to say. Others turned my name into a joke, stretching it out as “GUY-TREE” or twisting it in ways that made me feel different in a way I didn’t want to be.

At that age, all I wanted was to fit in. To have a name that didn’t stop the teacher mid-sentence, that didn’t require me to explain where it came from or how to say it properly. I remember wishing, just for a moment, that I had a name that sounded more “normal.”

But as I got older, I started to realize that my name wasn’t the problem. The discomfort I felt wasn’t because my name was too different—it was because the world around me wasn’t used to names like mine. And that wasn’t my burden to carry.

It wasn’t until I had children of my own that I truly began to understand the deep significance of my name. In Hindu tradition, names are not chosen casually—they carry meaning, purpose, and spiritual resonance. Many names are derived from Sanskrit and are often connected to deities, virtues, or natural elements. They’re selected with care during a namkaran ceremony, where astrologers and elders may be consulted to align the name with the child’s birth star, time, and planetary influences. A name is believed to shape a person’s destiny, reflecting their inner qualities and the aspirations of their family and community.

When I named my children, I found myself returning to these traditions—honoring the lineage, the symbolism, and the sacredness of naming. That process helped me reconnect with my own name, Gaitrie, which is often linked to the goddess Gayatri, a symbol of wisdom, enlightenment, and protection. Understanding this shifted something in me. What once felt like a burden transformed into a blessing. My name wasn’t just a label; it was a legacy.

Now, as an artist, teacher, and mother, I fully embrace my name and all that it represents. Gaitrie carries history, culture, and strength—it connects me to my Indo-Caribbean roots, my family, and the journey of migration and resilience that brought me here.

It is the name I sign on my work, the name I proudly introduce myself with, and the name that reflects who I truly am. Through Devi Performing Arts, I honor the traditions my name represents, sharing the beauty of Indian and Caribbean cultures through movement, storytelling, and community. Every time I say my name, I carry the history of my ancestors, the lessons of my upbringing, and the vision I have for the future.

So to the younger version of me who once wished for something simpler—I see you. I understand you. But trust me, your name is beautiful.