I don’t think I would willing change my name, but if I had to, I have a couple in mind.
One name I’d consider is Zelda. If you don’t know by now, I’m a huge Legend of Zelda fan. Princess Zelda is my all time favorite character. The name also means “woman warrior,” and you can’t tell me that’s not cool. Yet, people tend to look at you weird when you mention that, so I tend to keep it to myself.
Before I created this website, I considered writing under a pen name. The name I had in mind was Sienna Moon. Sienna was the name of one of my family dogs and Moon stems from how much I love the moon. Yet, I decided I wanted to see my name on anything I got published because I knew it was going to be a hard road. I didn’t want a cover name getting all the credit.
My name, Nikki, means “victory of the people.” I try to not read too much into it because somedays it makes sense and other days, it doesn’t. If you think too much about it, you realize it’s a bit of a heavy burden to bear. “Victory of the people.” It’s like you’re supposed to go fight a dragon and save the people of a kingdom that decided you’re their only hope. Yet, reality isn’t that simple (or deadly). Maybe the victory is a victory at work? You make a change for the sake of others? Maybe the victory is making a change for a child down the street that has no friends? And you become one. Maybe the victory is that you give all–well most–of your characters happy endings at the end of your book?
My thoughts into a name could go on and on, so I try not to overthink it. My name is my name and I like it. That’s enough for me.
Just don’t ask what Diekemper means, because I have no idea. It’s long and most people mispronounce it anyway. Maybe someday it’ll change, maybe it won’t, but for now, it’s my name.
And I like it.
nikki diekemper 