New Delhi, Jan. 12 -- In line with the season of reflections, as 2025 was drawing to a close, I sat down to write a letter to myself. But I got stuck almost immediately after "Dear" because I wasn't sure how to address myself.

Growing up, I think many of us would have instinctively reached for our nickname in that moment. The ghar ka naam in Hindi, daak naam in Bangla, the sobriquet or the pet name that existed before we learnt how to introduce ourselves. More people in our inner world knew us by that name then. Your official name belonged to the outside world: report cards, roll calls, formal introductions.

As you grow older-especially if you move away from the family you grew up with-the number of people who still use that name dwindl...