My name is Rahaf. My name is a part of my identity. It is a part of my life, how people know me.

In Arabic and Urdu, my name means sensitive and delicate. Apparently, in Syria it means the highly emotional person, which I totally agree to. I am the type to cry listening to songs, watching dog videos. Most people find it weird but that who I am. I don’t think that my name restricts me to act a certain way but I definitely find a relation between my name’s meaning and my personality, It’s most likely a coincidence.

Like in places where my name is needed like Starbucks, I have given up on humanity… I just call my self Shakira one day and Beyonce the other. Every time they try to spell it, its either Rohan, Rahafa and Rafa, it made me realize people are getting really creative these days. It used to bit frustrating at times, to be honest. But I am way too used to it at this point.

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.