My Name

Stephanie, my name is from Greek origins. It means “Crown” or “Crowned One”. It comes from the Greek male name, Stephanos.

My parents used to live in a small town north of Kuala Lumpur, called Kuala Lipis. They would commute from there to Kuala Lumpur for doctor’s visits when my mum was pregnant with me, a two-hour drive. To pass the time they would discuss and decide baby names as they drove along. They both agreed on the name Stephanie after Princess Stephanie of Monaco. My middle name, Grace, was chosen after an old family friend and also Princess Grace of Monaco.

I have always been happy with my name. It isn’t to short or to long; it’s in the middle. Kind of like Goldilocks and the three bears! Most people can say it properly and not mispronounce it or misspell it. I can’t remember a time where I have ever wanted to change my name, nor can I remember a time where I was teased about my name.

Lots of my friends shorten my name and just call me Steph. My brother used to call me “Di Di” when he was small and couldn’t say my name yet. He got it off a cartoon in which the older sisters name was Di Di. He never calls me that anymore. My parents sometimes call me “Pooks”, after a book I used to like when I was small.