GITA represents my initials, but not in the usual way I was raised. Before I lived in México my initials were just GIT (for Gordon Ivan Townsend). However, in 1999, when I applied for a work visa in México (called an FM-3, Forma Migratoria 3), and tax-payer ID (called an RFC, Registro Federal de Contribuyentes), they needed a second surname (my Mother’s Maiden name) as is customary in that country. All forms in México ask for two surnames.
My Mother’s maiden name starts with an “A” so in México my initials became GITA, and my name became Gordon Ivan Townsend Allen (no hyphen). I was already using GITA as a short- hand abbreviation (or nickname) within a new company I was developing, and it became my e-mail designation too (GITA@•••.com). This use of initials was already a common practice for my partner, and became standard practice for all employees.
I always found it interesting that women in México do not (and cannot) assume their husband's surname when married. It can be used socially, but never changed legally. Also, I love that names in México show genealogy since they contain the surname of both parents. Although quite clear to me today, I remember struggling months and months to understand this naming protocol.
Mexicans instinctively use the penultimate (second-to-last) name as the primary surname so when I used Gordon Ivan Townsend Allen, they called me Señor Townsend. However, when I used my shorter US name, without the Allen (common on US documents & credit cards), they often called me Señor Ivan. To avoid this problem, I sometimes wrote my name as Gordon Ivan Townsend A.
In 2009, a Texas friend told me that GITA refers to the Hindu Holy Book, the Bhagavad-Gita. I also discovered that GITA means “song” in Sanskrit, and I especially liked the spiritual reference.
Now, I use GITA as my spiritual name. Is it coincidence, or was it destiny? Namaste, GITA
Gordon Ivan Townsend
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