How Many People Have You Met or Known with the Same Name as Yours First Name Only

Introduction

Have you ever encountered a situation where you met or knew someone else with the exact same name that you carry? Pooja's story provides us with an interesting perspective on name recognition and the frequency of meeting others with the same name, specifically first names.

My name is Pooja. In every school class, there were 4-5 other Poojas, and teachers usually referred to us by our surnames. Interestingly, surnames were rarely the same, which added to the distinctiveness of each individual. Now, I have only two Poojas in my contact list, and Bollywood has popularized the name even more with figures like Pooja Bedi, Pooja Batra, and Pooja Hegde.

Common Names and Recognition

Names like Pooja are not unique to my experience. In the 80s, Pooja was a synonymous name in every household. While my actual name, Shubham Kumar Bharti, was a bit complicated to write on attendance forms, I remember my name shortened to Shubham Bharti in class 8. This highlights how names can change over time and circumstances.

School was a common place to find names as similar as mine. In my class, there were four boys named Shubham Kumar: Shubham Raj, Shubham Mehta, Shubham Bharti, and me. Moreover, there was one girl with the same surname, Sona Bharti. Having a common surname as a female in the class triggered some playful nicknames, particularly by classmates, which added layers of identity and uniqueness to our interactions.

Meeting People with the Same Name

Meeting people with the same name is not uncommon. In my adult life, I have encountered such coincidences. I first realized the existence of another individual with the same first name as me when I was ten. It was surprising to find someone so old sharing the same name, especially in the first-grade. After that, one of my close friends informed me that he had another friend with the same name.

Personal experiences aside, extensive searches on social media platforms like Facebook and Google reveal many instances where women share the same name as others. However, I have personally never met or known any women with the same name before. My parents did give us all sibling names that are unique and lovely, and we have never met anyone else with the same names.

The Popularity Factor

It's worth noting that some names become more common due to popularity. After the TV serial 'Aprajita' gained popularity, my name, Shubham, became a little more common. This trend highlights the influence media can have on name recognition and how public figures can make names more prevalent in society.

Conclusion

Encountering someone with the same name as oneself can be surprising and interesting, but as we grow older, we tend to become more accustomed to such coincidences. Names, whether common or unique, play a significant role in our daily interactions, adding layers to our personalities and making each of us distinct. The story of Pooja and Shubham Bharti provides a unique perspective on the frequency and impact of meeting individuals with the same name.