Isis Martinez was named after her mother, who was named by her Cuban grandfather after reading a book about Isis, the Egyptian goddess of magic and giver of life.
But these days, Martinez says, most people associate her name with Islamic State. Although the group is sometimes referred to as Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), it’s known to many by the banner under which it first grabbed headlines: Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.
Martinez said she initially thought the confusion might be short-lived, but now she fears the terrorist group will be around for a long time. Martinez doesn’t like the association, but doesn't want to change her name either, so she’s embarked on a mission to compel the media and others to stop using the name ISIS.
Since she started the "Save Our Name" petition on behalf of all the people around the world named Isis, it has been signed by about 28,000 people.
"The reaction to my name can be awkward at times," Martinez said in a video posted online.
The final straw, she said, came when a nurse asked about her name.
"Her face showed such incredible sadness and she said she felt bad for me," Martinez said of the conversation, describing how she was asked whether she could go by her middle name instead.
"I do have a middle name, but no one including me considers me Teresa. My name is Isis, I love my name. Or so, I loved it a lot more before."
At 38, Martinez said she will not change her name, and she isn't alone.
"Little girls, especially in the United States, named Isis have reported bullying while women with the same name are facing negative associations through their employment and public places like airports, even being called terrorists themselves," reads the petition. "I am only requesting the media stop calling the terrorists by our name."
Martinez adds most journalists probably don't realize the affect it's having on people and that the name is "becoming synonymous to 'bomb'."
