In English my name means “white”. In Arabic it means “Heaven”. It is like the song of a bird at dawn. In latin the name Jenna means little bird like those tiny baby birds who I watched blossom in my backyard last summer. Like the vibrancy I hear in my mother's old rock and roll.

Birds are powerful creatures. They possess the gift of freedom. When a bird is frightened it can simply spread it wings and fly. Birds are incredibly intelligent despite what some may call a small “bird brain”, yet they continue to fight the odds.

My name was not given to me for a specific reason, but it's only fate that it fell into my lap. My mother tried to find the perfect name for months, but finally she decided on Jenna. Jenna; because the way it rolls off the tongue, because of the ring, because of me.

If my mother had not chosen my name would I still be me? Would my name still roll off your tongue, and sound like a melody? Would I be the best person I can be? Probably.

In school they ask “Is that short for something?”, and I tell them no. when I was younger I had wished that it was. Maybe if my name was Genevieve I would sound more exotic; more interesting, But my name is Jenna.

I would like to celebrate my name. I wouldn't change for the world because this is who I am. I am Jenna. I am the song the birds sing, I am the glistening of the golden gates. I am me.