Like many parents, my parents decided to name me based on a popular bollywood film at the time - Taal. They spiced Manav up by adding a repeated ‘a’, but I’m glad that won over ‘Kshitij’ (in western society this probably results in a tough childhood) or ‘Ayush’ (thanks to the nurse that turned my parents off because it ‘sounds like a fresh breeze’).
While it’s been exceedingly hard to make any nicknames stick (Manny in Latin America or ‘M’ at raves is the closest we’ve gotten) and difficult to get people to pronounce, I have grown to love my name. The uniqueness makes me feel special and the slight difficulty helps me separate people who care enough to learn it and people who don’t, but most of all…
The name Manav is of Sanskrit origin, meaning "man," "human," or "youth." It signifies mankind or the archetype of humanity, embodying qualities of compassion, intellect, and potential. The name reflects the inherent virtues and capabilities associated with being human.
This is a big ask of one person, but I’ve grown to take this meaning on very personally. After all, if I am to embody ‘the inherent virtues and capabilities associated with being human’, I’d better do it justice. I don’t believe it’s galvanized me to become any of these things, but my name has certainly reinforced my identity in times where I’ve needed it to.
This reflection is a recount of the ways I try to be Maanav, as well as things I consider uniquely me.
The archetype of humanity
It sounds idyllic, but it’s been most useful to reflect upon this during the lower points in my life. It’s a reminder that even in these dire times, I’m living the ideal human experience - I feel as though the experiences I have are meant for me (and every human) to have. Whether it be loneliness, heartbreak, physical pain, boredom, or regret, I try to remind myself that this is a uniquely wonderful part about being human. The definition never ordained perfection, it bestowed responsibility to experience all that there is to experience - the good AND the bad. What other way is there to experience being human?
Embodying qualities of (…) potential
Growing up a ‘gifted kid’ enabled me to meet wonderful people and provided me confidence to excel, but it’s left me some hubris and the large weight of potential. This led me to a lot of self-critique, but in my post-adolescence this has been an opportunity to realize some of it. Experimentation has been such a core part of how I’ve spent my early 20s, and I feel more empowered than ever to take on any challenge that I face as a result.
My first big experiment in my 20s was taking the gym (too) seriously. Workout splits, tracking macros, and posing (in front of anyone who’d watch) consumed my brain space for my first few post-college years. From 130lbs (skinny) → 150lbs (rotund) → 120lbs (shredded), I’ve seen what my body’s capable of, and continue pushing it hard to realize its potential.
Annoying as I may have been, this built trust in myself that my potential was something I had the power to realize. Naturally, this appeared in other facets of life. From failing to rally in tennis, getting destroyed in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, learning to enjoy hiking, and attempting to write, I have had the opportunity to embody this potential, and work on seeing it through. It’s a lifelong journey, but it feels like a quintessential human experience, and I’m glad to try my way through it.
The inherent virtues and capabilities associated with being human.
One thing I hope never changes about me is my joy and childishness. The definition of my name holds ‘youth’, and even in my darkest times I have prayed I don’t lose the spring my step. If you know me personally, then you’re aware that I am often smiling, making jokes, or skipped around the place. Some admonish me for not acting my ripe age of 26, but I think they’re missing the plot - the unique gift of life is meant to be skipped about, not walked in monochrome.
Friendship, socialization, and deep connection make us inherently human, and certainly light me afire. I’m most alive when I’m at a house party, meeting people with shared interests or captivating ideas and experiences. While there are many ways to experience connection, life is incomplete without finding that in your own way. Whether it be at a writing club or on a bouldering wall, everyone finds their way to connect to those around them. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but I think it also takes a village to nurture an adult.
Closing thoughts
I wrote this piece thinking that I would list things that made me, Maanav, unique - the pretentiousness over coffee or the consistency in achieving my goals that I hold in high regard. Instead, exploring the etymology and definition of my name, I learned not much I do is special. While everyone is unique, in retrospect my piece ended up reflecting on this shared human experience - and how me, Maanav, is experiencing it too.
Everyone’s on their own journey, but I hope in some ways, we’re all living the Maanav experience.