The Power of Pronouncing Names Correctly: An Essential Equity Practice

Over the past months, we’ve all witnessed how the Right intentionally mispronounces Vice President Kamala Harris’s first name, attempting to “other” her and diminish her identity. This act is a form of erasure, a deliberate way to send a message that someone doesn’t belong. Whether done intentionally or not, mispronouncing names is not okay. It’s a subtle but potent reminder of how our society can either choose to embrace or reject someone’s identity.

My husband, Chihiro, and I know firsthand what it feels like to have our names mispronounced. For me, it’s usually my last name, Srinivasan. It happens all the time — so often, in fact, that there have been moments when I felt I should just let it slide, but I’ve realized that doing so is a way of diminishing a part of myself. As my husband and I lean more into our identities as People of the Global Majority (PGM), we’ve started to stand up for ourselves, demanding that our names are pronounced correctly. This seemingly small act is, in reality, a powerful practice of belonging and a declaration of our worth.

This journey took on a deeper, more personal meaning recently as our six-year-old son, Kailash, transitioned to a new school. As any parent knows, starting at a new school can be tough, but Kailash’s experience was compounded by the repeated mispronunciation of his name. It wasn’t just about getting a sound wrong; it was about whether or not he felt seen, valued, and included in this new environment.

The Cultural Significance of Kailash

Kailash isn’t just a name — it’s a reflection of our culture, our history, and our spiritual roots. Our son is named after Mount Kailash, a sacred mountain in Western Tibet revered by many. I made a pilgrimage there in my 20s, a journey that left an indelible mark on my soul. This name holds generations of wisdom, resilience, and connection to something greater than ourselves. It’s a living thread that ties our family to our ancestors, to the sacred, and to a lineage that we want our son to feel proud of and grounded in.

But when Kailash’s classmates and, at times, even adults around him consistently mispronounced his name, it sent a message that his identity wasn’t worth the effort to learn. It broke my heart to see him feel “othered” in a space that was supposed to nurture and include him.

Why Pronouncing Names Matters

Names are not mere labels — they carry stories, memories, and legacies. When we make the effort to pronounce someone’s name correctly, we’re affirming their place in the world. We’re saying, “You belong here, and you matter.” For children, this validation is especially important. It shapes their sense of self-worth, belonging, and confidence.

Research has shown that students who feel a sense of belonging are more engaged, motivated, and successful in their learning. Conversely, mispronouncing names is a form of microaggression, a subtle but harmful act that can chip away at a child’s self-esteem and sense of worth over time. It sends the message that their identity isn’t important enough to honor, that they need to adjust or diminish themselves to fit in.

For my family, this is not an abstract concept. It’s something we’ve lived. Each time someone struggles or refuses to say “Srinivasan,” “Chihiro,” or “Kailash,” it’s a reminder of the work we still have to do to create a world where everyone’s identity is respected and celebrated.

Advocacy in Action: Our Journey with Kailash’s School

Thankfully, soon after our schoool began, the Head of School asked us how to correctly pronounce our son’s name, a proactive effort that showed Kailash his identity mattered beyond our family. However, when Kailash later shared that his name was still being mispronounced, I knew I needed to advocate further. I reached out to the school, emphasizing the cultural significance of “Kailash” for our family, and provided an audio recording and phonetic spelling to support them. I also requested that staff consistently reinforce the correct pronunciation, understanding that children take cues from the adults around them. It was important for Kailash to feel his identity honored by the entire community.

How Educators Can Make a Difference

For educators, allies, and community members, there are concrete steps you can take to create an environment where every student feels seen, respected, and valued:

1. Ask and Listen: At the start of the school year or when meeting someone new, take the time to ask how to pronounce their name. Listen carefully, practice, and make a genuine effort to get it right.
2. Model Respect: When you introduce someone, model the correct pronunciation, even if others stumble. Your example sets the tone for others to follow.
3. Create Space for Stories: Invite students to share the meaning or origin of their names as part of your curriculum. This not only honors their identity but also fosters understanding and connection within the community.
4. Be Willing to Learn and Unlearn: If you make a mistake, acknowledge it, apologize, and commit to getting it right. It’s okay not to be perfect, but it’s essential to show that you care.

Moving Toward a Culture of Belonging

Pronouncing names correctly is not just about linguistic accuracy — it’s about recognizing the dignity and humanity in each person. It’s about creating spaces where everyone feels valued, where every story is honored, and where every child can show up as their full, authentic selves.

For my son, Kailash, this journey has been challenging, but it’s also been an opportunity for our family to model resilience, self-advocacy, and pride in our identity. It’s a lesson that goes beyond the classroom — a reminder that we all have a role in building communities where everyone belongs.

Recently, I came across a beautiful children’s book at our local library titled My Name by Supriya Kelkar. As I began reading it to my son, my eyes welled up with tears. The story resonated so deeply with our experience, and I could see that it offered Kailash an opportunity to see his own journey reflected in the pages. For anyone who connects with our story, I highly recommend this book as a way to explore the importance of names, belonging, and identity with the children in your life.

I also want to share a few more books that have been incredibly identity-affirming for my son and may be for others who share a similar background: The Spice Box by Meera Sriram, I’ll Go and Come Back by Rajani LaRocca, My Bindi by Gita Varadarajan, and Archie Celebrates Diwali by Mitali Banerjee Ruths. These books bring warmth, familiarity, and a sense of pride in our heritage, and they have become cherished parts of our reading time together.

When we honor each other’s names, we honor each other’s humanity. And through the stories we read, share, and live, we can create a world where everyone feels that they truly belong.

Author Bio: Meena Srinivasan is a contemplative leader, celebrated speaker, accomplished author, and visionary edupreneur. She is an educator-activist at heart, consistently championing the fusion of Mindfulness, Emotional Intelligence, and Belonging. Meena was featured as one of 2022’s 10 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement in Mindful Magazine and is the Executive Director of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL)™ an organization that supports educational leaders in building more compassionate and just schools. A former public school administrator and National Board Certified Teacher, Meena is the creative force behind the SEL Every Day Online Courses, an instructor of graduate level Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) courses at UC Berkeley and the CEO of Karuna Consulting, LLC, an organization that takes its name from the Sanskrit word ‘Karuna,’ signifying compassion. Karuna Consulting is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) driven by a profound mission: to foster a more compassionate world through Meena’s keynotes, professional learning, coaching, and consulting services. She is the author of numerous publications including Teach, Breathe, Learn and SEL Every Day. The latter was honored as one of 2019’s Favorite Books for Educators by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. Her TEDx talk on Tenderness is one of the most popular TEDx talks of 2024 (with over 2 million views). Meena has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 25 years, is an ordained Zen Buddhist and serves on the Board of the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation. Learn more at meenasrinivasan.com.