Names

I could not find Ashoke's exact name in the given website. However, Ashima relates to "charge, duty, or function". It is also the feminine form of Asim, which means, "boundless, limitless". I think this relates to Ashima in the sense that she is almost the opposite- she is more forced into the duty of trying to hold to her Bengali culture in America, and does not feel that America is "limitless".

Nikhil means "whole, entire". This could relate to how Nikhil feels split and incomplete about his identity, and does not feel wholly American or Bengali. He follows in Ashima's example where he is the opposite of his name. This theme also coincides with the moment he introduces him self as Nikhil for the first time. At a party, he uses it when introducing himself to a girl, and for the first time creates his split identity between Gogal and Nikhil.

Sonali is a variant of Sonal, which means "gold, good color". I am not sure how this correlates to her character yet, as we haven't seen her beyond her toddler years.

My own name is a derivative of Zacariah, a biblical name. However, I am not Christian at all. I think Zach/Zachary tends to be a "cool" name nowadays, like a stereotypical 90s kid on a skateboard kind of cool.

Origins

Truthfully, I do not think I can give a full answer to this prompt. The only knowledge I have of my family's history in coming to the United States is that one of my great great grandmothers was Scot-Irish, and came over on a boat. I do not know my extended family well, beyond a few aunts and cousins. I do not think I can recall any family lore relating to my older extended family. On the other hand, maybe it is a new kind of culture of some to not find out or care about their extended family’s past. I remember many people in the class said they did not know anything about how their families came to America (those who were born in America, at least). This is only speculation.

I am not sure if any of our traditions are carried over from our past generations, either. I remember some old Christmas ornaments that were presumably owned by my grandparents, but I think they have been lost to time. We still have our own traditions- my mom makes a flan, we decorate the tree together, etc.- but none are really linked to our immigrant ancestors. It is a strange disconnect from other cultures that seem to put more emphasis on family and family history, ensuring its continued importance in later generations.

To be honest, though, I don’t think I would want to meet the rest of my family; the ones who died before or soon after I was born. According to my brother they’re absolute lunatics with a side of alcoholism. So maybe it is better that I didn’t meet or get to meet the rest of my relatives.