For almost two decades, Naga Munchetty has been a familiar and respected face on BBC Breakfast. But behind her sharp journalism and composed screen presence is a deeply personal story, starting with her striking name that not many know the origins of.
Her full name at birth was Subha Nagalakshmi Munchetty-Chendriah. The nickname ‘Naga’ actually stems from a series of vivid dreams her mother had during pregnancy, all featuring snakes. In Sanskrit, ‘Naga’ means cobra. It’s an unusual name with a powerful backstory, but for Naga, growing up with it wasn’t always easy, according to the Daily Record.
Speaking to Saga Magazine, she shared how tough it was navigating school with such a distinctive name. “I’ve embraced it now, but when I was younger, it was all about assimilation and it was an unusual name,” she said. She recalled how kids would constantly tease her, with comments like, “Oh, does she nag a lot?” and even worse, some outright racist jibes. It got so difficult at times that she even thought about changing her name to Nadia.
Things didn’t get any easier after she made it to the BBC. While many viewers admired her journalistic talents, she still found herself targeted by online trolls who tried to discredit her success, accusing her of being a “token” hire. Despite developing a thick skin over the years, she admitted those cruel remarks still hurt. “Even though you think you’re not going to let these remarks influence you, of course they hurt,” she said.
Beyond her public battles, Naga has been incredibly open about a private health struggle that many women silently endure. In 2022, she revealed she had been diagnosed with adenomyosis, a painful condition where the lining of the womb starts growing into the muscle wall of the uterus. It had gone undetected for years, despite causing crippling cramps and heavy bleeding.
She described one particularly traumatic episode where she bled for two weeks straight and was in so much pain her husband, James, had to call an ambulance. It was only then that she finally got the answers she needed. The NHS notes that adenomyosis is most often diagnosed in women over 30 and is commonly confused with endometriosis, a different condition involving womb-like tissue growing outside the uterus.
Opening up about how this health issue impacted her personal life, Naga reflected on the importance of choosing the right moment to share such intimate details with a partner. “I’m very lucky because you have to pick your moment with partners to tell them about everything you go through,” she said. “You don’t want to do it on the first date, or the first time you sleep together.”
Naga and James also made a joint decision early on not to have children. She eventually opted for surgical sterilisation, a choice she’s never regretted. “We liked the life we had and we wanted to pursue that life,” she explained. She didn’t sugarcoat her view on parenthood either, calling it “expensive, it’s exhausting and a commitment for life.”
Although her mother was initially resistant to her decision, Naga shared that her mum has come around and is now incredibly proud of her and all she’s achieved.
Naga’s story is one of resilience, honesty, and the kind of strength that often goes unseen behind the camera. It’s no wonder she continues to inspire so many, not just as a journalist, but as a woman unafraid to speak her truth.
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