Kelsey is said to be derived form the Anglo-Saxon name, "Ceolsige", which is derived from the word ceol meaning "ship" and sige meaning "victory". There are also modern interpretations of the name meaning "brave" or "fierce". The name is unisex and is very common in the United States and the United Kingdom. I feel this name does define me, not literally as ship or victory, but brave, fierce, and successful, which I interpret from "victory". Bravery, fierceness or confidence, and success are all things I value and want to exhibit as a person. I believe I was named Kelsey because my parents had named my brother "Kyle" and honestly I think they did not want to stray away from the pattern of "K" names. My middle name, my father wanted to call me, "Skylar" has an English origination meaning "scholar" or "shelter". I like this name a lot because I value education and protection.
I know my mother debated with my dad on calling me "Shelby", which is a very southern name, originating from England, meaning "a place where willows grow". My mother, brother and I are from Georgia, my father from Tennessee, so we are a very southern family. I am glad she did not name me that because I feel like Shelby has the stereotypical connotation of an unintelligent, peppy person, which I don't feel describes me as a person. There are names that I feel can determine how a person is treated. For example, I feel that people who have Middle-Eastern names already have a pre-determined religion of being Muslim and anti-American beliefs to their name especially in the United States. The same thing happens when people examine their clothing, skin color, religion, sex, etc. All of these connotations can either positively or negatively affect the treatment of that person depending on the beliefs of the person examining them's background and values. For this reason, people may change the way their name or the way they present themselves in order to not be interpreted a certain way or be interpreted a certain way. I know how I present myself changes depending on the situation and the people I am with. I am more comfortable and talkative with my friends, than in the classroom setting or around strangers, where I feel the most uncomfortable. However, I define myself as both of these where as my teacher or my friend who only sees one part of the whole may define me as only shy or outgoing. I am defined by both the interpretations of other people and myself. Considering how people will interpret my decisions and how I interpret my decisions sometimes causes a dilemma because I must ask myself should I please myself, my audience, or both. Any decision I make, either for myself, my audience, or both I still feel defines me though because even though my decision may not be based on my values I still choose that course of action.
