What’s in a Name? More Than You Think…

Names are funny things. We hear them every day, but when someone changes theirs—or expands it—you suddenly notice how much weight a few letters can carry. Recently, I decided to honor my Hispanic roots and my family by hyphenating my name: Medellin-Sturgill. Some friends and family raised their eyebrows. “Wait… what happened to Sturgill?” they ask.

After years of downplaying the Spanish influence in my bloodline, I finally wanted to tip my hat to my mother’s side. My father, Darrell Gay Sturgill, and my brother, my lifelong best friend, Darrell Sturgill, had already been honored in my signature by the initials I’d used for years: D. Greg. Expanding it to Darrel Gregorio Medellin-Sturgill felt like a natural evolution—a way to honor both sides of my family.

If I were famous, I’d probably just go by Goyo! Short, punchy, unforgettable. But even without the celebrity stage lights, names carry history, culture, and story.

Think of the stage names we all know: Pele, J-Lo, A-Rod, Madonna. Some people tweak their names slightly; others go full-on iconic transformations. Prince famously became an unpronounceable symbol for a while. There are endless “Rods” in baseball: A-Rod, K-Rod, D-Rod. Even outside music and sports, actors and artists often reinvent themselves: Lady Gaga, Elton John, and so many more.

Changing a name isn’t just cosmetic; it’s identity. It’s how you show the world who you are, or sometimes, who you want to become.

Songs About Names:
There’s something sacred about a name—it shows up in our songs, our poetry, our lives. A few that come to mind:

“I Got a Name” – Jim Croce
“Name” – Goo Goo Dolls
“Say My Name” – Destiny’s Child

I’d love to hear more examples. Names in songs are about recognition, identity, longing, and pride.

So why does it matter if I hyphenate, shorten, or expand my name? Because names are stories. They’re legacies. They’re a way to honor the people who came before us, the cultures that shaped us, and the identities we choose to claim.

So yes, I’ve gone “off the deep end” at reunions. Maybe it’s not the deep end at all. Maybe it’s finally swimming in my own current. If anyone wants the whole backstory, just ask. I might even sign the following note as Goyo.

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