Children's Books and Family History: My Name is Ai LIn
"My name is my heritage, given by elders to carry their hopes and dreams. It shapes who I am now and who I will become."
Before children learn where their family came from or hear stories about their ancestors, they usually learn one thing first, their name. It's one of the first gifts they're given, and often one of the first ways they begin to understand who they are.
Whether our name was chosen because it belonged to a grandparent, reflects our family's heritage, or simply because our parents loved it, every name has a story worth telling.
Ai Lin loves her name, but she becomes discouraged when classmates and teachers struggle to pronounce it correctly. She begins to wonder if having a different name would make life easier. With encouragement from her family, Ai Lin discovers the beauty and meaning of her name and finds the confidence to patiently teach others how to say it.
Through warm storytelling and vibrant illustrations, the book celebrates cultural identity while reminding readers that every name deserves to be spoken with care and respect.
Our names are often the very first connection we have to our family history. They can carry the hopes of our parents, honor someone we love, reflect our culture, or connect us to generations who came before us.
One of the simplest ways to help children feel connected to their family story is to tell them the story of their name. Why was it chosen? Does it have a special meaning? Were they named after someone? What qualities did their namesake have?
When children know the story behind their name, they begin to understand that they are part of something much bigger than themselves. Their name becomes more than just a word—it becomes a reminder that they belong.
My middle name, Lee, came from my dad's grandmother, Leanora. Mum loved the connection but thought Leanora was a bit of a mouthful, so she shortened it.
All of that was perfectly fine... except I grew up in England, where both Jaimie and Lee are traditionally boys' names.
That made for some interesting moments growing up, especially because the only boy who ever had a crush on me was also named Jamie!
When I moved to California, I thought I'd finally escaped having a "boy's name." Then I married a man with the last name Craig.
So technically, I now have three boys' names.
I wouldn't change it for the world because every part of my name tells a little piece of my story. It reminds me of my parents, my great-grandmother, and even the unexpected twists my life has taken.
That's the wonderful thing about names. They aren't just what people call us, they carry stories, connections, and pieces of the people who came before us.
If you like this book you should check out : Alma and How She Got her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
ACTIVITY: The Story of my Name
Every name has a story.
Take a few minutes to discover yours.
Write or talk about these questions together:
- Who chose my name?
- Why was this name chosen for me?
- Does my name have a special meaning?
- Was I named after someone in my family?
- If so, what were they like?
- What do I love most about my name?
If your child doesn't know the answers, ask a parent, grandparent, or another family member. Then write down the story so it can be shared with future generations.
to download/print the activity page simply click here or on the image below
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