what's in a name

EDITED: 5/21/2012

Maniel

Legend says my name was discovered in a book and that it is maybe, probably Spanish-based. If I remember the tale correctly, "Maniel" was the name of a mountain depicted in this book. Mount Maniel, I take it. As for the title of this book, that information was forgotten. A likely story...

I think Judge Judy would dismiss this case. "If it doesn't make sense, it's not true," she often shouts, and the truth is that they know it was made up. I was supposed to be Mario but, in a spurt of creativity, instead my name became one that Microsoft Word indicates is incorrect.

With that has come years of baffled explanations and pronunciations along with vowels and consonants being added and taken away without my permission. Manuel, Manwell, Emmanuel–you know, names people have heard of before. I even took on a nickname to save others grief. Anything for my fellow man.

"Maniel" has taken the majority of my 22 years to get used to but a change has come. I see my name in a different light now:

It's unique

It's interesting

It has flair

It's ethnic

It's memorable

It's a little odd

All of the above are qualities I consider myself having. 

Maybe my parents made up a creative name because they knew they birthed a creative son too. You never know.

Some say, "What's in a name," but I think names can act as an extension of you as a person. You won't ever see my name on a mug or a magnet because it's not a commodity. Neither am I.