My Two Weird Names

My first name is Gerardo and my middle name is Steven. For us Latinos, it is very normal for our parents to give their children two names. My mother is to blame for giving me these two names because my fiends and I think that those two names do not match. In my country Colombia, my first name sounds very serious because it is usually associated with the name of very famous old singer, while Steven is a name that sounds more suitable for a young person. In addition, Gerardo is a name with Latin roots, while the name Steven is of English roots. I like both names, but I prefer to be called Gerardo because I consider my first name to be more appropriate to my personality and Hispanic origin. 

Although I like my first name, for some people, it is a little difficult to pronounce. My first name is very common in Colombia, so I did not have a problem there, but now that I live in the United States, it is difficult for most foreigners and Americans to pronounce my first name. Because in Spanish “G” is pronounce like “H” in English. 

On the other hand, my first name has a funny story. My mother told me, When my she was pregnant with me, she was looking for a job because she needed some money. However, it was not easy for her to find a job being pregnant. Eventually, she found a job but under one condition. The person who was going to be her manager, was a old man. He told my mother that he had no children, then he asked my mother if she could please give his name to her baby. My mom was a little surprised, but in appreciation for his help, she said yes. For that reason my mother gave me as first name Gerardo.

Despite all these reason I would not change my name because I think that there is an interesting story behind it.