Ashoke- Asoke means without sorrow. The name was borne by Ashoka the Great. Gogol´s dad exemplifies the meaning of without sorrow because he does not feel bad about any of his past experiences. Throughout the novel, he continues to push through all the challenges him and his family go through in order to have a better life for themselves. In chapter 5, Gogol learns that his name goes along with the near life death experience that Ashoke had. Instead of lingering in the past and having the accident follow him through his life, Ashoke tells Gogol that, " You remind me of everything that followed¨ ( 124). Gogol´s name reminds Ashoke of all the happy experiences he has had since then.
Ashima- For Ashima, the name means boundless or limitless. I think that the meaning of Ashima does not go along with her personality. The name personally gives off the feeling that she has no boundaries in her life and anything is possible. For Ashima in the novel, that is simply not her. She is stuck to the tradition and reliant on other people. The author, Lahiri, explains that Ashima is despondent, unaccustomed, all over again, to being on her own ( 50).
Nikhil- Nikhil means whole and entire. This word often reminds readers of someone that is wholesome and strong. That is exactly how Gogol is. During the novel, Gogol transforms into a boy that has overcame his fears. He accepts and cherishes the American tradition he is now being brought into. He finds himself loving the tradition and choosing it over the Bengali culture. He begins to embrace his the name Nikhil. Gogol goes to a party and embraces the Nikhil in him. Gogol explains after kissing a girl at the party that, "the Gogol in him had nothing to do with it¨ ( 96).
Sonali- Sonali means gold. Sonali is seen to be a kid that is golden. Sonali and Gogol are are very different children that express themselves differently. Sonali is seen to be a ¨ true american¨ ( 63). Sonali tries to put a dollar bill in her mouth.
Olivia- The name Olivia directly comes from the latin word Oliva. This name means ¨ olive¨. Olives are calm and serene fruit. I am not like that at all. I have no correlation to the name Olivia. I have a olive green undertone to my skin. That is about it.
Jameson- My brother´s name, Jameson, means ¨ the son of james¨. The name is biblical to an extent from the new testimate. Since my brother and I are not fully related ( we are only half siblings), his dad´s name is James.
Michael- Michael means " who is like God?". My dad truly believes that no human being on this planet is like God. The name describes him perfectly.
Melodie- The name Melodie means "song¨. My mom has been an amazing singer all her life. She is truly a songbird in my eyes.
