Starting today for a month, I will be sharing with you my PERSONAL HISTORY and I will be starting off with my name. Yes, my name’s history. Most times, when people ask me about my real full name, I get anxious because I’m not comfortable with using it everyday. Why? It sounds like a girly-girl name and does not suit my personality. I’m somewhere between classy-chic and tomboy. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure of my sexuality and is married and will stay that way until I die but i’m not the typical lady with make-up and dresses on. I’m a laid back professional. Anyway, let’s get back to my name’s history and mind you, this feels like I am introducing myself to the world for the first time.
My real full name is KRISTY LEAH HERNANDEZ-REQUIAS. I have two first names and for whatever reason, my parents thought this name will suit me well. Not so sure though. All my life before College, friends, classmates and teachers calls me by my first name Kristy. It is rather unique right? Referring to the way it is spelled. Most of you have met a ‘Christy’ or a ‘Christie’ but a ‘Kristy’ is, well, not so much. I think. I have asked my mother about name when I was in college why name me ‘KRISTY LEAH’ she told that my name follows my sister’s initials, which by the way has two first names as well, of I and J thus I have the initials of K and L.
Fun Fact: there’s 3 of us in the family and I being the youngest. My eldest is a brother named GLENN ALFIE HERNANDEZ and being the only son who will carry the family name he has an initial of G and H and my older sister is IRISH JANE and has an initial of I and J, of you add me, KRISTY LEAH that make the three of us a G, H, I, J, K, L! Thus, my Kristy begins with a K and i’m proud it really is unique. At least for me.
Now, for the LEAH, i believe it was my father who chose the name. When I asked him why, he said that during the time I was born was also the time when Lea Salonga, the singer/artist is rising in her field. My father loved music so much and has a good ear for good singers, not just good, great singers and according to him, Lea Salonga is one. I’m sure you’ve heard the first versions of disney songs A Whole Nee World and Relfection, she was the voice behind those popular disney movie songs from Aladdin and Mulan. Maybe my father was right in naming me with a Leah that has connection to music and a great singer because I, too love music and loves to sing. I might have the talent as well. So I guess my father knew since then.
I’m not stopping with my real name though because I also have nick name that’s equally interesting. I’ve grown comfortable with my nick name because I have been called by it since I was young by family, relatives and friends who know me well. My nickname is AYEL (Ah Yell for you). I know, you might be wondering how did that came to be my nick name when it does not really sound like or has any resemblance with my real name. Or so you thought. Actually, that came from my second name. Still unconvinced? Here’s why.
My family is weird and brilliant at the same time. Weird in a good way and brilliant in thinking ways most people won’t think about. I grew up with my aunts from my father side who were crazy women and spunky like me. When I was younger, or maybe I guess when I still a baby they have been reversing names already. Why they do that? The heck I know but I love it! Say for example, instead of saying ‘Gatas’ or Milk, we say SATAG and it has been that way since time immemorial. For my nickname though, it came from my second name Leah. If tweak the spelling a bit, you can also read leah as leya and if you read the latter backwards you’ll get ayel. Weird right? But i love it. I would not want it any other way. I haven’t met a person in real life with the same nick name but when I searched through Facebook, I was surprised that there are people having the same nickname as mine and I’m happy about that, at least I’m not alone.
So there it is folks! That the history behind my name. I woukd love to hear your names’ history as well. Write it below in the comments section. š
CAFFIENIONATED 