Jack. It is a simple name. Nothing special—but not too dull either. 

It comes from the name John, and it is quite popular today. The name belongs to several people—but it means something a little different to me.

Jack is not the nicest name I have heard. the letter J feels abrupt, like someone getting hit in the gut letting out a short burst of air. But The ending is what really makes it sound aggressive. The last three letters sound like somebody tasting a meal made by a three-year-old. Spitting it out instantly. Ack. Together the name sounds quick—not wasting time to sound elegant. 

I know several other people named Jack. a Jack may also be a playing card, flipped over in a game of cribbage. Or a tool, used by a mechanic to change his fourth set of tires today. Or an addition to a word. A jackhammer, a motorized piece of equipment, is used in construction. Jackrabbit, running from its predator.  

Even words similar to my name, like back, clack, smack, pack make it difficult to make a strong connection to my name. so common. so many people use it in so many different ways. A favorite song being overplayed. 

Jack may have all these uses, but it still feels familiar. It feels like a voice from an old friend or my mother from my kitchen calling me downstairs for dinner. A hot summer day in the backyard as I learn to ride my bike. Like a winter night sitting by the fire next to my dad. Each time I hear my name, a little piece of nostalgia comes back. 

Jack. A quick and abrupt name, not trying to be anything more. I think that it suits me. a simple person But to me, it means something more than just a name.