About My Name

Mother’s Hope

My name is Kenje, but it is written as “Kenzhe” in English. Most of the American people read it like Kenzie. Because Kenzie is easy to say for Americans. I am the fourth daughter of my parent. My mother wanted to give birth to boy a baby, but she gave birth to four girl babies. When I was born, my mother gave me this name. It is her superstition that she wanted to stop had girls. She gave me that name and she believed and hoped that the next baby would be a boy. Kenje means “younger”, “smaller” and “last child” in a family. If we translate from Kyrgyz language, kenje means “junior”. I am glad that my name is Kenje. Because of this name has an exact meaning and it is easy to change and to find a nickname.

When Kyrgyz people hear my name, they can think that I am a youngest in my family, but I am not. As I wrote, my name has noted meanings, which are every Kyrgyz people can understand. Besides its meaning, my name is easy to say for some nationalities. For example, American people call me Kenzie, Turkish people call me Genj. I do not need to change my name and I do not have to spell it. In addition, I have many nicknames. My mother and sisters call me as Kesha, and my friends name me as Kesh. I am Kenjegul for my husband’s parents, because my father-in-law’s name is Kenje.

In summary, my name is a gift from my parents. That was my mother’s superstition that she wanted to have a boy baby after me. Her wish came true. Because I am the youngest daughter in my family as my mother hoped. Moreover, I am glad that they gave me a good name, which is short and meaningful, and it is like American name “Kedzie”. Of course, they didn’t know that I would live in the United States, but they gave me lucky name. If my name is long or hard to say, I would have to change it.

P.S I put a picture of chick. I am an adult, but my family look me like a kid. Because of I am a  junior of my family.