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What's in a name?

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Talk of Iowa, hosted by Charity Nebbe

The name we are given, the name we call ourselves and the names other people use to refer to us are powerful parts of our identity.

Our names are shaped by culture, our relationships, our needs and our preferences. Many people go through a legal name change in their lifetimes, and even more of us go through unofficial name changes.

In recent years, the names that students choose to go by at school, if it’s different than their given name have been a source of controversy. Iowa lawmakers passed a law last year that requires parental notification if a student chooses to go by a name or pronouns that differ from those they use at home.

On this episode of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe speaks with an anthropologist about how names are shaped by culture and convention. Then three Iowans who have changed their names tell their stories and an ISU ethnohistorian discusses the importance and power in changing place names.

This episode was originally produced January 26, 2023.

Charity Nebbe is IPR's 'Talk of Iowa' host. She also hosts IPR's podcasts 'Garden Variety' and 'Unsettled'. Since 2010, Nebbe has interviewed, conversed with, and shared ideas from guests of all backgrounds and locations, and has helped listeners better understand, appreciate, and explore their state and the world around them. Nebbe has a bachelors degree from Iowa State University.
Caitlin Troutman is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from William Jewell College. Since 2022, Troutman has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.