Kindergarten Teacher Lets Kids Pick New Names for a Day

Jordan Lake had a hunch that letting his kindergarten class pick their own names would be fun. What he didn't expect was how much it would mean to them.

The fifth-year kindergarten teacher gave each of his students a "Hello My Name Is" sticker and asked them to choose any name they wanted for the day. Their answers came fast: Marshmallow, Ochy, Kachoom, Bhum Bhum, and Wiggly were just a few of the delightfully creative choices.

Lake shared the experiment on Instagram, where the video has racked up over seven million views. In it, you can hear the pure excitement in each child's voice as they claim their new identity. "I was thinking in my head, I think Ochy is the perfect name," one student says, barely containing their giggles.

The full roster included Morty, Kipper, Hello, Jorbee, Shady, Foggy, and Cindy (the only student who picked a traditional name). Each child got their name written on a sticker and wore it proudly for the rest of the day.

What started as a fun break from routine turned into something much deeper. Thousands of commenters shared their own memories of similar experiences from childhood, some recalling specific days from decades ago when they got to be "Baby Spice" or "Strawberry Fields" in their classroom.

Why This Inspires

This simple activity taps into something children desperately crave: autonomy. Research shows that even tiny amounts of independence are deeply meaningful to young kids. Being able to make choices, even silly ones, helps build their confidence and critical thinking skills.

For kindergarteners, choosing their own name is the ultimate act of agency. They can pick their clothes and tie their shoes, but their actual names feel permanent and unchangeable. Getting to be "Marshmallow" or "Kachoom" for a day gives them power over their own identity in a way they rarely experience.

Child development experts say this kind of autonomy makes kids more engaged in learning. When children feel they have some control, they're more likely to participate and focus. That explains why Lake's students were so thrilled by the experiment.

One commenter, now an adult, still remembers being allowed to pick a new name during a family vacation as a child. What could have been a forgettable trip to the beach became an unforgettable experience, simply because she got to decide who she wanted to be.

Lake will almost certainly be one of these kids' all-time favorite teachers, and they'll remember the day they got to choose exactly who they wanted to be.