My mother christened me Catherine Sophia. Both are family names. My maternal grandma and grandpa each had an Aunt Catherine (nicknamed Kate), and one of my grandma’s sisters was named Catherine. Sophia came from my great-great Aunt Sophie. Catherine is Latin for “pure,” and Sophia is Greek for “wisdom.” I enjoy reminding my friends that my name means “pure wisdom.” This is usually met with laughter.

Growing up, I was called Kate or Katie by the people who lived in my small Missouri hometown. Most of my family still calls me this. When I started high school, there was a Kate and a Katie in the upper-class population, so I chose to go by Catherine to stand out. I didn’t want to be known as Kate H., using an initial to distinguish me from the other Kate. I have gone by Catherine exclusively since. My shift in name usage serves as a soft divider between my childhood and my march into independent adulthood.

I attended the Hugh O’Brien Youth Organization Leadership Conference my sophomore year of high school where I was asked to share a story to help others remember my name. In a room of eight 15 and 16 year olds and an adult facilitator, I related myself to Catherine the Great, former Empress of Russia. Most are familiar with Catherine the Great, but not with the story I would proceed to share.

I introduced myself and told them who Catherine the Great was. I then confidently shared the rumor that she had a deep sexual appetite and died while trying to satiate herself with a horse. My introduction was met with laughter from the students and silent shock from the facilitator. This story about Catherine the Great is wildly untrue and likely spread as a patriarchal attempt to undermine her leadership; however, the mental image and shock value it produced had the desired effect: people remembered my name. I still use this story as a way to help others remember my name because it is so effective. Interestingly, Catherine the Great’s birth name was Sophie.

Even though high school was nearly 25 years ago, I still sign “Catherine the Great” on solo cups. While there isn’t anything pure or wise about the moniker, it always makes me smile.