What's In A Name?

If you noticed, I've been calling you Baby the whole time. I will be very honest, it's because until yesterday (March 1), mama and papa haven't been successful in choosing a name for you.

Some of the strong contenders for your name were:

• Joross  - combination of Joy, Rommel, and your late grandmother Rosa. While meaningful, the name garnered ridicule from all as the name is similar to a B rated actor in the Philippines

       

• Red
• River
• Ross
• Rai

• Jommel - recommendation from your Tita Lala; combination of Joy and Rommel. Ewwww, I must say.Your Tita Gaill, Tita April, Tita Janice, and Tita Lala persisted on calling you Jommel during the time we haven't picked your name yet.
• Ayrton - your papa is an avid fan of Aytron Senna, a legendary F1 race car drive and even before marriage, your papa would always refer to "Ayrton" whenever he talks about our future kid
      

Your papa and I had simple wishes for your name. They were as follows:

• It must start with the letter "R". Why? Your mama wanted to retain the tradition in your papa's family. All the names of your papa's siblings begin with the letter "R".
• Your name must depict someone who is simple, kind, wise - qualities your mama and your papa value the most
• And of course, your name must be unique, must not be subject to ridicule etc.

You were exactly in your 35th week and the night before your mama and papa were discussing your name. We were feeling a bit pressured because until then, we have not picked your name. Your mama had dreams, worries regarding it and in an act of desperation began to consider naming you as "Jommel". 

Eureka moment...

The moment of pure inspiration came when your mama and papa, hands held, went to a hospital tour in Mt. Alvernia during your 35th week. While the tour guide was busy explaining the hospital's layout, your mama spotted the name of the ward - "St. Raphael's Ward". It was as if lightning struck. Your mama immediately whispered the name to your papa and your papa's face lit up. It was perfect. It was you. 

We can't wait to see you, our son: Rafael Ayrton Marquez. Your nickname: Rai - ask your papa! - still to be discussed!!!

Raphael

The name is of the meaning God has healed. A biblical name, it is derived from the elements 'rapha' meaning to heal ; 'el' God, powerful. Rephael (Hebrew) is an older form of Raphael. The name was borne by one of the seven archangels who appeared in the apocryphal tale of Tobias but was not named in the Bible. The short form Rapha was borne by several minor Old Testament characters in the Bible. It was consequently a favourite among early Christians, but its medieval use was mainly Jewish, before its widespread adoption among English speakers by the 16th century. The name was borne by the famous Italian Renaissance painter and architect Raphael Sanzio (1483-1520). In Europe, the name has been more popular in the southern countries than in England. It later saw a modest revival at the endof the 19th century. The name Raphaela (English and German) is the female form of Raphael.

Raphael is a widely used name; it has 36 variants that are used in English and other languages. Variants used in English include Falito, Raf, Rafe, Rafello, Raffello, Raffi, Raph, Rapha, Raphaello,Raphale, Rapheal, Raphello, Raphie, Raphiel, and Ravel. The pet form Rafi is another English variant.