Rafael, Radhames and Ramfis

Rafael is an unusually common name in the DR, I am told that in Trujillo's time it was common for people to name their sons Rafael in homage to Trujillo. Why is it then that there are so many Rafaels born post-1961? Even if it is traditional to name sons after their fathers or grandfathers should there not have been some rejection of the name?

Why also is it that Radhames is also a fairly common name here, while Ramfis isn't? Wasn't Ramfis the more 'glamorous' (as well as more villainous) of Trujillo's sons? These pharaonic names, inspired by the opera Aida, are not to be found anywhere else, as far as I know.

I have asked Dominican friends about this but have never had a convincing answer, so your opinions would be welcomed.

Thanks,

Chiri

Rafael yes, it is a common name in many countries, but here it is more common than anywhere else I am familiar with. Radhames I have never come across anywhere except here.

I agree they are nice names, but wonder why there was not some rejection of them considering the history: in Europe you do not find too many Adolfs!

Come to think of it, there are people here called Hitler and Stalin!

Chiri

Larry

Oh yes, I agree that the comparison is not really such a fair one, but Adolf is not exclusively a German name any more than Rafael is exclusively a Dominican name. I typed Europe but in fact I could have said anywhere in the world. Actually I wasn't trying to imply that people who give their children these names are displaying Trujillista sympathies. A friend of mine who is not anything of the sort was named Rafael by his parents - according to him as a homage to Trujillo. Now he has passed on the name to his son. If anything I would say that shows a liberation from dictatorial hang-ups that he is able to disassociate himself from the name's more negative connotations. I asked the question mainly because the name Radhames has always intrigued me as it is pretty unique, and if Radhames then why not Ramfis as well? Pib answered that question. Any other thoughts?

Chiri

Not just Dominicans!

Lenin, Stalin, Vladimir, are common names in many parts of Latin America, and for all I know in other parts of the world. Sometimes because the parents genuinely wanted to honour these individuals but in some cases they had just heard the names and did not know the negative connotations.

The lawyer called Mussolini is the brother of the man who owns the house next door to us, he has an inoffensive name but there is another brother called Hitler, also a lawyer. In their case I suspect their parents knew what they were doing.

I think a lot depends on the name. Perhaps there is no inhibition in Spain about naming your child Francisco or Francisca (as in Franco) because they are such common and traditional names anyway. Same goes for Rafael. It's when its a more unusual name that the connotations tend to stick.

Chirimoya