The Pieces a Name Loses

In “The F Word,” Firoozeh Dumas writes about the struggles of having a foreign name in the United States. She begins with funny but uncomfortable examples. Her cousin Farbod is called “Farthead,” and her brother Farshid becomes “Fartshit.” These jokes show how easily unfamiliar names are turned into something embarrassing. Even though the stories are humorous, they reveal how frustrating it can be for immigrants.
Because people have trouble pronouncing her name, Dumas decides to make life easier by adding an American name, Julie. At first, the change helps. Teachers and classmates remember her name, and she avoids awkward explanations. It feels like she has removed a problem from her daily life.
However, this decision also takes something away. Her original name, Firoozeh, connects her to her culture and family. When she hides it behind “Julie,” part of that identity disappears. Later she even notices that adding “Julie” to her resume helps her get job interviews. This shows that names can affect how people are judged before they are even known.
The experience is like sharpening a pencil. Each time she shortens or changes her name, a small shaving falls away. At first it seems helpful because the pencil becomes easier to use. But after enough sharpening, the pencil becomes smaller and loses some of what it started with.
By the end of the essay, Dumas chooses to return to her real name. Her story shows that learning someone’s name is a simple but important way to respect their identity.