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NAGA MUNCHETTY, WHO HAS BEEN A REGULAR FACE ON BBC BREAKFAST SINCE 2009, HAS OPENED UP ABOUT HER STRUGGLES WITH HER UNIQUE NAME, AS WELL AS HER DECISION NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN MICHAEL MORAN

Audience Writer and KIRSTEN MCSTAY Deputy Showbiz Editor 12:50, 01 Jun 2025 BBC Breakfast stalwart Naga Munchetty has lit up our television screens for nearly 20 years, yet the story behind

her name 'Naga' remains unknown to many. Her full name at birth was Subha Nagalakshmi Munchetty-Chendriah, and she earned the moniker 'Naga' after her mother had several

snake-related dreams during her pregnancy, with 'Naga' meaning 'cobra' in Sanskrit. In conversation with Saga Magazine, she opened up about how challenging it was to have

such a distinct name growing up, recalling schoolyard taunts: "I've embraced it now, but when I was younger, it was all about assimilation and it was an unusual name.

"l'd get people asking: 'Oh, does she nag a lot?' all the time – and there were some awful racist variations as well." At one point, to escape the racist remarks,

Naga considered changing her name to Nadia. After joining the BBC, she endured more racism from online bullies who dismissed her success, accusing her of being a "token"

appointment. Naga admits that, despite her thick skin, discriminating comments can still sting: "Even though you think you're not going to let these remarks influence you, of

course they hurt." Article continues below More recently, Naga bravely spoke out about her private health struggles. In 2022, she revealed her diagnosis with adenomyosis, a condition

where the inner lining of the womb breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus, causing significant discomfort. Naga has opened up about her long-standing battle with a condition that

causes severe menstrual symptoms, including heavy bleeding and debilitating cramps, which went undiagnosed for years by medical professionals. She recounts the harrowing experience that led

to her diagnosis, involving two weeks of relentless bleeding and pain so severe she had to have her husband James call for an ambulance. In discussing the challenges of intimate

relationships, Naga reflects on the importance of timing when revealing such personal struggles to a partner: "I'm very lucky because you have to pick your moment with partners to

tell them about everything you go through. "You don't want to do it on the first date, or the first time you sleep together." Naga also touches on the decision she and James

made early in their relationship not to have children, which ultimately led her to choose surgical sterilisation: "We liked the life we had and we wanted to pursue that life," she

explains. She candidly speaks about the realities of parenthood, describing it as "expensive, it's exhausting and a commitment for life." The NHS explains that adenomyosis,

where the lining of the womb (uterus) starts growing into the muscle in its wall, is more commonly diagnosed in women over the age of 30, and can affect anyone who has periods. The NHS

website also explains the difference between adenomyosis and endometriosis. While adenomyosis involves the lining of the womb growing into the muscle in the wall of the uterus, endometriosis

is a different condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Article continues below Initially met with resistance

from her mother, Naga shares that her mum has now accepted their choice and is immensely proud of her daughter's career achievements. _JOIN THE __DAILY RECORD'S WHATSAPP COMMUNITY

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