We’ve dated for almost a year. I never knew he had a hidden name. All this while, I thought his surname was Arthur. I call him Arthur. I know a few friends who also call him Arthur. I didn’t know people call him Arthur because that family name is hard to pronounce and funny to hear. You meet his siblings and they call him by his household name. No one ever mentions that name, but it’s hyphenated with the Arthur.

The first time I saw it, I was shocked. I tried pronouncing it and the name didn’t allow me to pronounce it. I twisted my tongue and adjusted my jaw, but it still came out weird and incorrect. He laughed. He said, “Stop spoiling my name.”

I asked, “So this is your surname?” He answered, “Yeah, but because people can’t pronounce it, they stay away from it.” I asked, amidst laughter, “So when we marry, I won’t be Mrs. Arthur but Mrs. This-Name?” He asked, “Is it too heavy for you? Don’t worry, you won’t carry it around so it won’t hurt your neck.”

But it’s hurting my feelings. I can’t imagine my little kids bearing this heavy name. They’ll crumble under the name. You know today’s kids, their friends will try all they can to call them by this name, a name even angels fear to mention.

Is There A Perfect One Out There For Everyone?

Apart from this, he comes from a part of the country that my parents will ask a lot of questions about. I’m not saying they won’t agree to me marrying him, but the questions will be longer than necessary, and his surname makes it so obvious that that’s where he comes from. Arthur…Arthur hides everything, but the last name brings it all out into the daylight.

Am I petty to want to break up with him?

—Efia

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