Sarah Sonia Takallou

My full name is Sarah Sonia Takallou. Their are not many other Sarah Takallou's out there so I embrace it in every way I can. To start, my first name is really nothing too special or sentimental. There are 818,553 people in the U.S with the first name, so I do my best to make it own and embrace it in my own way. It's not really something that stands out or shocks people, however it's grown on me over the years. Simple and apparent. My parents chose it because they thought it sounded sophisticated, strong, and presidential, but also serves as cute and girly due to it's Greek meaning "princess". Sarah a common Americanized name however can also dualize with posing as an Iranian name by adding an added stress on the second A. My middle name is more accustomed with my Iranian back round. I was handed this name down my great grandmother due to her wisdom and kindness. I don't use it often or refer to myself by it, however it's nice to know it's their and where it comes from. Finally, my last name is something a little more nontraditional and noticeable. It neither sounds Persian or American, quite honestly I'm not sure where it comes from. Defined, "tak" means unique and "lou" means a grouping, so we like to construe our last name as a "one of a kind family". Having such a diverse name like this one can lead to some challenges. Over the years I have heard nicknames from "Tackle-you" to "Talk-alot" and even sometimes "Tickle-you".  Besides that, I've heard every mispronounced version of my name their is from people that don't know me. Despite how weird and quirky my last name sounds, it's a name I hold and am proud of. It shows how I am and groups me with the family I am apart of and honored to represent. My name, Sarah Sonia Takallou, is something I posses and have made my own over the years. Although it was handed down to me, I hope I did my part by using it well and transforming it to fit my own personality.