Idk if anyone else has done extensive research into the customs of the Romani people, but because I’m a sucker for a good internet rabbit hole, I have, and it means I have strong Opinions about Jenny Calendar and her name.
(Obviously I am not a part of their culture, so if I say anything completely incorrect here, feel free to let me know so I can further educate myself.)
I have read on several occasions that many Roma people often have a legal name and a ‘family’ name/a nickname that is only used by people who are a part of their culture.
I have a firm belief (and this would make sense if taking the dialogue in the show into account) that her legal name is Jennifer Calendar, and Janna is her family name/nickname. The other Romani folk in the show (Enyos, the shopkeeper) are the ones who call her Janna. She specifically requests that Rupert call her Jenny and it doesn’t seem like something that is manufactured. (At least, in my personal opinion.)
This would also make the fact that her tombstone says “Jennifer Calendar” instead of something else make SO much more sense.
Sunnydale High would have to have legal documentation ensuring she is who she says she is, and, in Canada at least, teachers have to undergo certification, criminal record/vulnerable sector checks, etc, which would be a lot more difficult to do if Jennifer Calendar wasn’t her legal name. It’s hard to get a legit CRC/VSC if you’re using a false identity. (Not impossible, but difficult nonetheless.) Again, I’m Canadian and don’t know exactly how things work in the states, but every employer I have ever worked for has had my SIN (equivalent to US SSN) on file.
So…all signs, to me, point to Jennifer Calendar being her legal name. Janna is the name her family and her people call her.
Just some food for thought.
