The Genealogy of Names and Inherited Identities

Sor Juana's identity was shaped by her mixed heritage, her placement in a family system, and the naming conventions that marked her position in colonial Mexico. Names function as repositories of history, encoding gender, race, class, and cultural affiliation. Understanding the genealogy of one's name means tracing how identities have been imposed, negotiated, and transformed across generations. This concept examines how naming practices reflect power structures: colonial names replacing indigenous ones, patriarchal naming erasing women's origins, religious names marking spiritual conversion. By examining the genealogy of our names, we become conscious of inherited identities we may accept, challenge, or transform. Across cultures, reclaiming original names, creating new ones, or maintaining multiple names represents an act of historical consciousness and identity assertion. This practice helps individuals understand how personal identity connects to larger historical narratives of colonization, migration, and cultural encounter.