Ánde Matheo Sara from Alattio considers the Sámi name tradition really important, because according to it there is a clear explanation for the choice of a certain name.
Ánde Matheo, he thought, that was the perfect name. When the year had changed, he knew exactly who he wanted to be in the world. There would be no need to hide anything. Not from anyone. Not anymore.
I live in Alattio, Norway Ánde Matheo Saran the first name, Ánde, has followed him since childhood. Even then, the guys wondered why he had a girl’s name, even though that girl was nowhere to be seen. Friends started calling him Ánde, which he is officially only now.
In choosing his second name, Matheon, he has instead followed the Sámi name tradition. According to the Sámi name tradition, one hopes for similar traits to the person the person is named after.
In this case, however, there was one exception: Ánde Matheo Sara had to name himself.
– Now I am my own son’s namesake. If I had been born male, I would have named my son after myself. It’s important to me that there is an explanation as to why he chose that particular name, says Sara.
– For us Sámi, it is important that we name the child after someone. That way you join your own family, he describes.
Changing the first name in Finland is more common than ever before. The growing trend can be seen in the statistics of the Digital and Population Information Agency. In Finland, especially nature-themed and gender-neutral names are popular.
Time to tell the truth
It’s only been a few weeks since Ánde Matheo Sara’s name change. He couldn’t have expected such a good and happy reception, which he finally got. Sara was surprised how nicely both the environment and her loved ones received her.
– It was a secret that I have carried for almost 35 years. Now was the time to come forward and tell my own truth, that is, that I was born in the wrong body, he says.
The weight was lifted when there were no more secrets. On the other hand, Sara says that hardly many people were actually surprised. However, the process has been long and required a lot of tears.
The reactions excited the small village grower
The hardest thing for Ánde Matheo Sara has been living with her own thoughts for almost 35 years. It’s easier now. When he admitted the truth not only to himself but also to those close to him, life became easier. He was not abandoned, even though he feared it.
– I was afraid of how people would react to this, says Sara.
However, the fear was pointless.
Of course, Sara still wonders from time to time whether life would have been easier in a bigger city or community. He comes from Northern Norway, from a very small village.
– It’s a bit more difficult for us than someone who grows up in the main population and larger cities, he says.
But he can still be who he is. Now he is Ánde Matheo.