My name is Katie (Katherine) Wolff.

“Katie” means pure of heart and has an English origin. “Katherine” means pure or clear and has an English or Greek origin. “Wolff” means wolf and originates from the last name “Wolfgang” from Germany.

I was named after my paternal grandmother who is named Katherine. I have issues with my grandma, so I don’t love that I’m named after her. I have been embarrassed by my first name when other members of my family call me “Little Katie.” It feels degrading to call me another version of a different person when I’m a whole different person. I do think my last name is pretty cool though. People don’t often mispronounce either of my names. At USF, I currently know 8 other Katies, so it gets pretty annoying when in my literature class there are 5 other people named Katie and attendance is called.

I’m going to start going by “Sam” instead of “Katie” to disassociate from my grandmother and more accurately fit my gender identity. I’ve always loved the name Sam because of its androgyny and some people have also told me that they thought I looked like a Sam.

I only spoke English growing up at home. I have been mocked for how I speak before.