The planets

[Rengori]

Official SE materials refer to the planet of FFVII as Gaia.

But they still called it Earth in the game. Smart move Square.

[Slade]

I'm pretty sure 'Gaia' and 'Earth' are one in the same.....

[Dreddz]

FFVII is called Gaia, but it is called Earth in the game. Odd, but we call our Planet Earth and World....

[six underground]

the Planet?

[Masamune·1600]

Final Fantasy VII never explicitly refers to Gaia as Earth. In fact, the planet is generally called...the Planet.

There are two instances during the game where "earth" is referenced (as opposed to dozens of references to "the planet"), although in both cases "earth" can be taken to have an alternate meaning, the "land surface of the world."

Given that the Planet is never in any way explicitly named in FFVII, it doesn't make sense to argue with the attachment of Gaia to it, particularly when it presumably reflects the intent of the creators all along.

[DMKA]

Final Fantasy VII never explicitly refers to Gaia as Earth. In fact, the planet is generally called...the Planet.

There are two instances during the game where "earth" is referenced (as opposed to dozens of references to "the planet"), although in both cases "earth" can be taken to have an alternate meaning, the "land surface of the world."

Given that the Planet is never in any way explicitly named in FFVII, it doesn't make sense to argue with the attachment of Gaia to it, particularly when it presumably reflects the intent of the creators all along.

Have you ever played FFVII? If so, did you fight the final boss? It flat out shows the planet and says "Earth" next to the planet, right after it shows all the other planets in our solar system with their names next to them. I don't think it could be any clearer than that.

Also Aeris' third limit break. =p

[Masamune·1600]

Actually, your memory of the Super Nova spell is a little off. Not every planet is specifically named; this is true of Gaia. The Super Nova spell can't even fully confirm that Gaia exists in a solar system identical to ours (although I would accept that much), because the Super Nova spell is illusory (if Safer casts it again, the same animation will occur, including the destruction of already annihilated planets, not to mention the fact that our sun lacks the necessary mass to go supernova). Super Nova was never meant to establish any specific fact about the game; it was meant to look cool, which it accomplished, and arguably embody certain symbolic elements.

Aeris' first Level 2 Limit Break is indeed called "Breath of the Earth," which is probably the strongest piece of evidence for the planet being named Earth. However, I sincerely doubt that the name was meant to be any sort of real commentary on the game, particularly when the phrase "breath of the earth" has frequently been used to imply the idea of life (which would relate well to Aeris' healing Limits). As always, there is a distinct gap between gameplay and story elements, and using spell names as proof of anything is difficult.

Moreover, you're ignoring the fact that the official word from SE states that the planet of FFVII is named Gaia. Even if the original intent was for the planet to be "Earth" (which can't really be argued for), the name has been fully and officially retconned to Gaia. Sorry about that.