“Reputation is what people think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.”
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
What is in a name?
Born in the late 60s in an era where names were based on the calendar which was the feast day of the Saint, I was named Herrie Raymond, such a unique & modern name when all my cousins where named Eminiano, Antonio, Alfonso, Ricardo, Eminiano, Justo, Anacleto, Claudio, Fernando, Flaviano, Enrique, Reynaldo, Hermimilo or Jesus.
At a young age, I was truly conscious of how my parents had come up with my name. There should be a logical explanation because though not 100% sure now, there was a time that I cannot find any person of the same name, spelled and pronounced as such.
To make matters worst, is when I am asked what my name is, some would conclude that am just mispronouncing the H because am a Capampangan, where the H might disappear or appear necessarily & unnecessarily. Many times I’ve been asked….Eri or Henry?
Herrie is a combination of my parents family names. Her for Hernandez which was my mom’s maiden name. Ri is for Rivera from Bacolor who are spread across Porac, Floridablanca, Mabalacat & Mexico in Pampanga plus in some parts of Tarlac & Pangasinan.
This was how my parents explained to me how they assigned me such as wetern souding name to which I would always ask….then why is there an e in Herrie… My Dad would jokingly say the e was for “ensaymada” because I had a round face when I was born. Years later when am asked the same question…I’d say…e is for “ewan ko”.
So why Raymond, when most were spelled Raymund or Reymundo. This time my mom would explain that St. Raymond was the patron saint of mothers who had difficult or life-threatening situations while giving birth.
My dad was actually contemplating on naming me after the place/region where I was born, Helmand Valley in Kandahar, Afghanistan but decided not to because he was horrified to the possibility that I might be nicknamed “Hell” instead of “Mando”. That would’ve been another problem.
Hell no…. in an era where most boys were either called Bongbong or Boy, I ended up being nicknamed Bok.
Anyway, my elder sisters name was Sharie…derived from Sharara district in Kabul Afghanistan & Teresa for Santa Teresa founder of the Carmelites.
And our youngest was simply names “Pilipinas” because she was born here in the Philippines when my parents finally went home to the Philippines in 1971 after 15 years of working for the USAID in Afghanistan. And when we were already in school, our youngest would always ask why she had a very simple name that sounded so “local”. So, my Mom nicknamed her “Pines” which was still quite very local because it usually relates to the summer capital of the Philippines or the “City of Pines”.
My mother in law’s basis in naming her offsprings was simple…Having 10 children, she never used double names. Angelita, Romeo, Noel, Yolanda, Arnel, Robert, Wilma, Irene, Evelyn & Girlie. Was told that my wife Irene’s name was derived from the youngest Marcos child Irene and that’s it. Gald I was not nicknamed Bongbong.
When I had the opportunity to choose a name for my children, I was always ready with double names either for a boy or a girl. If our eldest turns out to be a girl, she will be named Patricia Joy, which came from the names our mothers….Patring & Ligaya, we just westernized it too.
Turns out we will never be able to use this name after three tries because we were blessed with three boys.
Arvi’s name was to perpetuate the good memories and fine qualities of his granddads both of whom he never met (Arnulfo & Virgilio) while St Gerard was the patron saint for women blessed with their truly loved and much awaited child.
Our second son is named Adrian Gabriel. Being a fan of prolific writer/columnist lawyer & government technocrat, Atty Adrian Cristobal & being a true believer of good things will always be forthcoming as exemplified biblical angel Gabriel because it was truly good news to hear that after a grueling 23 hour labor (literally did non stop wiggling & kicking in his mom’s womb) our baby still turned out healthy, energetic & strong and my wife was doing fine.
Our youngest son is Andre Gregory who was named after the 90s tennis icon Andre Agassi who not only captured the hearts of tennis fans but also countless beauties. Meantime, Pope Gregory was known not only for his pious reign as the prince of the Catholic church but by his famous Gregorian calendar.
Then there were unforgettable names that I heard about & met in my hometown Bacolor. Famous are the Cano siblings named Ameri, Mexi, Afri, Vul, Mag, my batchmate Bati & their youngest or the last Alana. Just pronounce their complete name you will immediately know why they were as famous as Crissot. It could sound unbelievable but you can ask any local from my hometown, they would say, the children of Mr “M. Cano”.
During my university days, I cannot forget in one Physical Education 3 Class, at the College of Human Kinetics, during the roll call of my table tennis classmates, our PE instructor would call our last name then ask students to announce their first names. When a nerdy classmate with a Gomez family name was called, when asked what his first name was, he just said “Gomez na lang po”. Turns he had the same name as a former matinee idol & now congressman, Richard. Forced to say his first name in a very awkward way, he finally said….”Richard po…present sir”and in a typical Isko manner, we all burst into naughty laughter. Looking back, I cannot imagine how truly difficult was to be named after famous actors idolized for their looks & yet there is not an iota of resemblance.
Our names, being our first real property. The moment we are born, it is ours, ours to keep & protect.
It is not wrong to always make it a point to correct someone who might have misspelled or mispronounced my name. My parents came up with a very unique name for me & I’d like to be known as such.
Our name and reputation is the shorthand others use to judge your trustworthiness, competence and character. It will determine whether it will open or shut doors for you. A good name or reputation reduces friction in transactions because it amplifies predictability, low-risk & positive outcomes.
In the business & professional world, our name & reputation opens opportunities & breaks barriers because customers & clients will pay a premium for reliability and integrity. In a way it reduces operational cost because it drastically reduces the need for heavy marketing, guarantees, or oversight. Trusted people, brand and/or organizations recover a better chance of making it big or become successful because if one’s name is attached to being competent, consistent, honest, committed, transparent & open for suggestions, it is a good name have.
In contrast if one’s reputation characterized by broken promises, dishonesty, negligence, poor treatment of others and being closed minded it is damaged goods.
A good name & positive reputation converts trust into tangible benefits, be it in personal circumstances or careerwise.
A name or reputation bestowed upon us is something that we will carry forever. Our name is our brand.
Protecting one’s name is not merely correcting its pronunciation or how it is misspelled, protecting it is an investment that compounds over a career or in life that that future generations & future clan will either reap with much appreciation or with stark disdain.
But with all the corruption scandals & expose happening every day, how difficult it is to have your name attached to any wrongdoings or scandalous acts.
Wouldn’t it be good to be remembered fondly, with deep respect & much appreciation.
I wish it was the same in politics.