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| What kind of name is Wataru? | ||
| Yes, Wataru is my "real" name. It is pronounced "wah-tah-roo", and only three syllables. Other people have called me by improvised variations, like "Wat", "Watusi", "Walter", "Water-roo", "What-are-you", "Charlie", "Ching", but I highly discourage this practice. | ||
| Do you have an American name? | ||
| Some people have said my name "sounded" Kenyan or Indian. In fact, a friend from India said it meant "tree" in his language. In reality, for those aware of our immigrant history in the U.S., "Wataru" is very "American", but certainly not of the mainstream majority. | ||
| So what does Wataru mean? | ||
| My name is of Japanese origin. "Wataru" was the name of one of my mom's favorite cartoon characters! The word "wataru" in Japanese means "to cross", like a bridge across water. I feel my name is quite appropriate for a 2.5-generation Japanese American, since I am of a "cross-cultural" background. The following is "wataru" written in the Chinese character (or kanji): | ||
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| I sometimes reflect on the meaning of my name, and perhaps the Internet was written with it, since the network has the possibility to "cross" continents, and to connect a diversity of people -- making bridges. One friend has given me the nickname "WEb" by taking my initials from my first and last name, and putting them together. I like that! | ||
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