My Name is Whaa? My name is Who?
That’s a line from a song.
In the past few months, a few (happless victims) new folks have been commenting on my blog, and it occurred to me the other day that I’ve never met some of them in person. In fact, most of you have never met me, I think. Unless my husband, Adam or Britt have subscribed over 240 times in a concerted effort to make me feel better about myself. In which case, wow, guys, thanks.
Anyway, my name is Faiqa.
Yes, that is my real name.
It’s pronounced, “Fike-ah.”
Well, actually, no. It’s pronounced “FaiQ-ah.”
The difference, and yes, there is one, is that a “k” in transliterated Arabic has a softer sound than “q.”
A lot of people don’t realize this, as evidenced by their spelling of, say, “Qu’ran/Quran.” It’s not really “Koran,” you know. Unless you’re a nineteenth century British lord who wants to pontificate on the superstitious beliefs of the natives in a long and boring narrative aimed at justifying the colonization of the subcontinent. Speaking of boring. Ahem.
(Okay, I also have to add that I’m not entirely sure if “Koran” could be considered technically incorrect. I just know that it’s not pronounced that way. Just like we’re not “Moslems,” either.)
Actually? I don’t even pronounce my name correctly. Because, I don’t feel like teaching non-Arabic speakers how to say the gutteral “k” sound every.single.time someone asks me my name.
I say it like this, “Fike-ah.”
Faiqa means “superior” or “excellent.” Naturally.
I’ve been asked a few times if anyone has ever given me a hard time about my name. Short answer? Yes. But, that’s okay. This name? I love it. It defines me in so many ways. Not just because of its meaning, but because it’s always set me apart from people… in a good way.
So, yeah, my name is Faiqa.
Nice to meet you.
65 Responses to My Name is Whaa? My name is Who?
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For the longest time, your name was “Fay-qua” in my head. And then I heard someone — possibly Adam — pronounce it on video and I was like, “Ah, that’s better.” Before that? I was terrified of someday meeting you in person and screwing it up. Heh.
@Elizabeth Kaylene, There was no need to be terrified, it’s a hard name! Sad I’m going to miss you when you’re here.
I saw you at Adam’s party in ’08 but we were both a little bit past the tipsy stage and I never found out your name.
I “met” you a few weeks later on Karl’s radio show.
I totally butchered your name and you totally forgave me.
I love you for that.
Also, I’m pretty sure I’m one of the jerks that says “qu’ran” wrong. I think I need a youtube how to or something.
@Sheila, I don’t think mispronouncing something that’s originates in a foreign language makes you a jerk… you’re still okay in my book. More than okay. Fantastic.
Hi Fike-ah,
Please change your name and post again.
kthxbhaibai.
@adnan., Heh. Any suggestions?
Hi. I am Kim. It’s nice to meet you. I suck at commenting, but I am one of the 240 subscribers.
@Kim, Kim, it’s an absolute pleasure to meet you. I’m glad you commented.
My name is RW. It’s pronounced Rweh. I have met Adam and Britt and I still think you’re ok.
@RW, OK?!! I am more than okay. I’m going to have to have a talk with those two…
Just for the record, more people write me and spell my name “Nacy” then “Nancy”. How is that possible?
You are well named! ;P
@nancy, Why, why would they do that??!
@Faiqa, I think it’s because people generally do not pay attention, they don’t know how to spell, and they are self-centered. I have the same problem w/ my last name. It’s almost ALWAYS wrong, like stockdill, stockwell, stockton, stockdell, etc etc. My larger point is that no matter how common or how “exotic” a person’s name is, most people will get it wrong. Even when my husband went by his middle name, which is JOHN, most people GOT IT WRONG! LOL
“Faiqa means “superior” or “excellent.””
I totally read that in a Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure Keanu Reeves voice.
And I think you have the prettiest name of anyone I know.
@Karen, Keanu Reeves. He’s Canadian, right?
Nice to meet you too, lovely one. I think Fike-ah means “lovely one”
@Nanna, You are the highlight of this coming August. And your competition is my entire family’s birthdays and BlogHer. I hope I get to see you in person.
@Faiqa, silly rabbi, of COURSE we will see each other in person.
Faiqa means “superior” or “excellent.” Naturally.
If you had not added the Naturally, I would have… you are excellent
So, do you suppose that we’ll ever get our families together or will we just continue to talk about it?
@Courtney, Yes, yes!! Get together is imminent!! I’ll e-mail you. Er, soon. <3
The visual of you performing an Eminem song is almost too much to bear. Almost.
@SciFi Dad, Oh, you have to see my Jay Z impression, then. It will give you nightmares.
I do this too – I pronounce Pakistan the Sarah Palin way when talking to most people, and go back to the correct (or as close as I can get) pronunciation when talking to the natives. It’s just easier than repeating it when they don’t understand the “PaHK-us-THan”
(In my defense, most Pakistanis can’t pronounce my name entirely correctly either. I’ve found they’re not always great with the “TH” phonem in American English. I would hope I’m a gracious as you are with it.)
@TheGoriWife, I’m sure you are. I’m surprised about the “th” thing, though. “Saath (together)”, “haath (hand),” etc. There’s even a letter devoted to that sound, so that *is* weird. They probably are just floored by the fact that you can understand them when they try to talk about you in Urdu.
@Faiqa, I think the Urdu letter is just a bit different than the American English phonem of “th.” I’m not Urdu scholar, of course, and maybe some ethnicities in PK say it differently, but really only my husband can pronounce my name correctly out of my whole Mohajir in-law bunch. Actually, haath/hand is a great example. The “Th” there is a strong T sound, followed by the barest hint of an “h.” Now think of the ‘hath’ as in the biblical “Thou hath” or as in “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” That’s a different “th”, less T and more half of each letter. You couldn’t use the Urdu word for hand in that sentence and say “Hell haaTh no fury like a woman scorned.” The TH is different.
Sorry to hijack this post into an exposition of Urdu phonetics, just explaining why my inlaws add more T into my TH name…
@TheGoriWife, I was all set to disagree with you here, but…after reading your comment, I said your name out loud in a Pakistani accent and realized you are absolutely right. I do hear the difference.
I pronounce it “pha-ker”.
@Avitable, You pronounce it, “Superior to me in every way.” Pha-ker.
I got to meet you! I got to meet you!!
That makes me blessed.
@Sybil Law, Ditto.
I think your name is beautiful. I have the fortune of working with people from all over the world, and I always feel bad when they choose to go by American names because coworkers can’t pronounce their given names correctly.
@Stacey, Aww, thank you. I try not to be judgmental about name changes, but that’s never sat well with me. I would never consider it.
Your so silly, my name’s Becca, nice to meet you!
@Becca, Hi Becca.
Funny I didn’t learn how to say your name until I roasted you. hehe, my name is really Hocqeymandad and Patricq with the gutteral “k” sound. But I never say it lie that cause it wouldn’t be so Irish as I am.
@Hockeymandad, That’s kwite interesting.
Your name is pretty effing Awesome. I wish I could say your husband’s name as Awesome as you say it. Cause when I say it, it sounds rednecky.
@Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing], ME TOO! The way she says his name is so beautiful, and it’s so pathetic when I do that I don’t even like to try.
@Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing], Hehehe… It’s Thaarrriq. And thank you.
OMG! I’ve been in your home! It’s fantastic to meet you!
@Poppy, OMG, you have been in my home… one of my home’s most wonderful moments!!
Really, who hasn’t had their name made fun of, right?
I think you should post a video of you saying your name correctly. Then that would be 240+ times that you wouldn’t have to correct someone.
@Kimberly, This is a fantastic idea. And, really? Someone made fun of Kimberly?
Hi! My name isn’t Earl.
@B.E. Earl, Someone should make a show called that. Ahem.
I think you have one of the most beautiful names I’ve ever heard. Honestly. Although, I have to admit I prefer the bastardized version that you use to that other way.
And MAN I wish I could pronounce your husband’s name the same way you do.
Also – I’m saying Muslims wrong? Really!?!? I can’t believe you never told me that!!!
@Miss Britt, I don’t think you’re saying it wrong. I’m pretty sure I would have corrected you by now… because, hello, have you met me?
Nice to meet… hey, wait a minute… you look familiar… err… I mean you sound familiar… no, that’s not it… hmm… ah… you have the same name as someone I know, that’s it.
@Ren, Too late. Don’t try to disavow me now.
Nice to meet you again!
I really like your name. I have the most common of names and always wished for something more unique.
@Lisa, My best friend throughout junior high and high school was named Lisa. For this reason, any time I meet a Lisa, I instantly like her.
Hi, my name is Karl, an old-German name that is a derivative of Charles and means “free man.”
What a crock. My parents had no idea what they were doing.
@Karl, I like the name. They named you after Karl Marx, didn’t they?! And it follows that this is why you voted for Obama. You SOCIALIST.
@Faiqa, What are you talking about? I voted for Obama because he has soft hair. They named me after my grandfather, who was Karl Solomon. Which makes me not only Italian and Irish, but Jewish. Don’t make me break out The Whine.
@Karl, Okay, okaaay. Jeesh. But. You do know that Karl Marx’s parents were Jews. Think about it.
@Karl, Although, on a “serious” note — I’ve rarely seen the name Karl spelled with a “K”; most times I’ve seen it with “C’. So that’s unique.
@Faiqa, It is kinda unique. I used to not like that; now I do.
Chicka chicka…slim shady!!!
@tariq,
‘Cause I’m an awesome Lady, yes I’m the real Lady
All you other awesome ladies are just imitating
So won’t the real awesome lady please stand up,
please stand up, please stand up?
Alecia, nice to meet you…formally.
@Alecia, http://hoobingfamilyadventures.com,
My name is Humaira. Nice to meet you too
@humaira, Hello Humaira! (P.S. I *love* your name… I’ve always thought it was very pretty.)
i watched an episode of america’s next top model when they had the girls come up with different names for themselves. not that i’ll ever be on a “reality” show, but if i have to change my name for anything i’m so going with faiqa. it is beautiful. and i love the meaning.
(yes, i just admitted to watching antm. please don’t disown me.)
Luv ur name
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