Blaise Ricciardi

        I’ve never thought about the weight held by my name. Named after Saint Blaise, there is an unwanted burden to live up to the expectations of such a prominent person. The Armenian saint was notable for curing throat diseases and healing the sick (St. Blaise). How am I supposed to follow these footsteps? Although long rooted in family history, I certainly have no intentions of becoming a doctor or one who provides health care for others. However, like many saints, caring for my community is very important to me. Whether it is helping the homeless or doing volunteer projects, it is vital in my life to prioritize the well-being of myself but also others. Whether or not this distinguishes me as a Saint, I will always live by these morals.

     Choosing my name was not an easy journey. My full name, Joseph Blaise Ricciardi, doesn’t completely represent myself. For all of my life, it has always just been Blaise. My father proposed the name, and although initially reluctant, my mom finally agreed. Despite the eventual loving of the name, my parents were hesitant on establishing Blaise as my first name. Joseph, my legal name, has quite the family history. My great-grandfather, Giuseppe, began the passing down of the english translation, Joseph. Even though my parents preferred Blaise, they decided to make my first name Joseph out of family respect.

     Similar to the word ‘Blaze’, like a fire, you’d expect it to have an energetic and uplifting background. Strangely enough, the name Blaise, originating from France, means “lisp” and “stutter” (Sheknows). When meeting new people, I usually receive positive reactions about my name. Even today, joy was brought to my heart when a stranger responded with, “BLAISEEE? That's sick!” I would be surprised if people associated my name with the negative connotations of lisp and stutter. What makes this coincidence more fascinating is that I occasionally stutter; especially when talking fast, I find myself stumbling upon my words.

     I wonder what would happen if I was named Blaze, the Latin origin word, meaning flame or fire (Baby Names Content Team). Maybe I wouldn’t be a fast talker. Maybe I wouldn’t stutter. However, Blaise fits better. Better spelling. More fascinating. More history. I wouldn’t want to be Blaze. I have always been Blaise, and I couldn't picture myself being anyone else.

Works Cited

Baby Names Content Team. "Blaze." The BUMP, 13 Jul. 2023,         

     www.thebump.com/b/blaze-baby-name. Accessed 21 Sept. 2023.

"Blaise." Sheknows, www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/blaise/. Accessed 21 Sept. 

     2023.

"St. Blaise." Britannica, 20 Jul. 1998, 

     www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Blaise/additional-info#history. Accessed 21 

     Sept. 2023.