Names

My full name is Diomy Perio Gabasan Jr. My mother chose to name me after my father since I was the last child. I actually didn't have a name until my parents got to the hospital the day I was born. I was going to be named Diomedes until my dad changed his name because it was too long for him to write. At school, I've always been known as Diomy, but on my dance team I was known as jr or jayare. I always thought that I should have a separate name for dance and school since it was two different things and two different locales. As I grew up however, I began to mix the two because my friends started to join me in my pursuits in dancing. This came into prominence around high school and it became a regular thing. Even some of my teachers began calling me jr and it was kind of nice just having one constant name for once.

Ever since elementary, I've always enjoyed my name simply because no one else at school had that name. I was always the only Diomy in the class, and it made me feel special. Bearing the name of my father also makes me feel proud of being his son and of this family. Speaking of then, I had to do a report on my name for a class and I learned a little bit. Since my father decided to shorten his name to Diomy, there is no meaning to it. His original name however has one meaning to it. Diomedes means “evil king” while also being the name of a king in Homer's Illiad. Although it isn't my actual name, I like to say that my name essentially means the same thing. My middle and last name had the similar effect on the internet. I could find absolutely nothing on what Perio or Gabasan means. My family had told me that the prefix gaba- meant rice, so my last name probably deals with rice or something of the sort. I really wish I knew what any part of my name meant. All of my name is probably Filipino, although when I was younger I had doubts that I was because of my last name. Gabasan did sound a bit like it was Japanese, and I was holding out hope that I was because I watched a lot of anime and manga.

I don't think I would change my name if I had the chance. Albeit I would prefer at least the name Diomedes since it would afford me a meaning to my name, I think keeping my name as Diomy is perfect as is. I've got a lot of pride in my name, being the second Diomy and all. Plus, I think its a pretty nice name despite the botched pronunciation almost every time I meet someone. Besides, it's kind of funny hearing people struggle with my name. Hm. Diomy Perio Gabasan Jr. I like the way that sounds.