Sharing My Name with Hurricane Katrina

Having an unusual name (as opposed to unpopular) has been interesting. Often, I choose to answer to other names just to make it easier. Growing up, friends introduced me to their grandparents and somehow my name transferred in their mind to Ka-Trin-Kah. I've been called, Kateena, Patrina, Kabrina, Patricia and believe it or not, Gretchen [scratching head]. And, to top it all off, as a child I unsuccessfully searched for my name on a pencil, key chain, or coin purse. I certainly never expected to hear my name on international news.

But after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast of the United States, I heard my name every time I turned around. Apparently, Katrina means pure (Not likely what our fellow citizens in the south would say). With numerous variations Katrina is of Greek origin. Basically, Katrina is an Anglicization of Caitríona or a form of Katherine. Curiosity struck, and I visited various websites to find out more about my name. I found the following statistics on www.howmanyofme.com in July 2010.

There are 94,484 people in the United States with the first name Katrina.

More than 99.9 percent of people with the first name Katrina are female. (Whew, was worried about that one.)

My Mom and Dad actually had the name Kathron picked out before I was born. However, they didn't keep that name since we lived on Kathron Avenue. So, when they met a bubbly young lady with a great personality, they chose my name to be Katrina, thankfully before the ink was dry on my birth certificate.

Interestingly, the popularity of babies named Katrina has grown, even in the most storm-damaged areas such as Louisiana and Mississippi. I wonder why that is. Was it because people felt a sense of victory or sentiment? Elsewhere in the nation, the amount of new babies named Katrina shrunk.

Also, you'll notice that news broadcasters and print media often drop the word hurricane from in front of Katrina during broadcasts or the "tease" for the next segment. Brian Williams or Katie Couric will say "Coming up, Katrina's destruction and how it's affecting the economy" and I'm thinking for a split second, 'Wait..what the heck did I do?' Or, a radio broadcast at the top of the hour will say, "Katrina's survivors are making their way back into the south."

At least there is more of a chance people will spell my name correctly. And, even more people are remembering my name. I haven't been asked "Hey Katrina, where are the waves?" "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves (1985) P.S. I have the answer for them now. Also, my sister Susan looses the worst connotation battle of names, Lazy Susan. And, if my house is a mess I simply say "My house looks like Katrina came through it." [symbols crashing].

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and its after effects. I've just found it a different experience to share my name with a hurricane. It could be worse, my name could be...