My name causes some confusion here in India, as it did in Uganda (but a little differently). In Uganda, I would introduce myself as "Gabrielle" and people would give me a strange look. Eventually, I figured out that they were only familiar with the male version, "Gabriel". People found my name weird because it was as if I'd introduced myself as "Mike" or "Thomas" or "Bob" (never mind that I am called Bob from time to time). After having this exchange enough times, when introducing myself I would add, "In my country, it is a woman's name, too". We'd share a smile about it and move on.

Here, I have no idea what people think of my name, but I know its not one that they're too familiar with. On two occasions I've seen my name written down my people who did not have the benefit of an email address to help them guess. Here's how the clerk at Domino's today thought it was spelled.



This was only a slight variation of the other time, where I was "Kaberal". Perhaps I need an Indian name to use in these situations. But apparently Tamil Nadu has revealed to me my Starr name, which - of course - must start with the letter "K" [as in Kodiak, Kivalena and Kayla].