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[Facts] Greek names in Greece today
I wonder how many of the names used in modern Greece passed through the "filter" of early Christianity. Most of the Greeek names that came upon us in other European countries survived because they were the names of saints and martyrs - no matter whether they were "Christian" by origin (like Eusebios) or by an adapted meaning (Ambrosios, now understood as someone participating in eternal life) or even completely pagan (like Dionysios). Only few classical names were introduced by the Humanists (Daphne). But how about Greece? How strong was the influence of the church here? Looking at the number of names in use now? Looking at the frequency, in which they appear?Pavlos, where are you?Andy ;—)
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Ah, you have touched a very sensitive issue, Andy!
The Orthodox Church is very tightly knit in the modern Greek social fiber, and the separation of Church and State in contemporary Greece is only nominal. Practically all Orthodox Greeks (approx. 95% of the Greek population), whether religious or not, are socially and culturally impelled to baptize their children, which means that the Church had until very recently the last word as to which names were "kosher" or not. This explains why the vast majority of Greeks have names that are associated with Orthodox Saints -- just shout Yianni (John) or Maria in a crowded Greek street, and dozens of heads will turn. IMHO, the Orthodox Church's approach has fostered an "onomastic holocaust," with the extinction of hundreds of beautiful names which the Church poo-pooed as "pagan". Fortunately, however, many classical names also have Christian Saints, such as Alexander, Socrates, Eros, Aphrodite, etc. During the past few years there has been a renaissance of long-lost Greek names thabks to the younger generation of Greek parents. Very recently, the Church reluctantly agreed to allow children to be baptized with “pagan” names “of historical merit”, although this is in practice discouraged by priests. The only names that are presently strictly Verbotten by the Church are Nero and Diocletian :) Personally, my wife and I gave our daughter two classical Greek names, Nephele and Demetra (Demeter): Demetra has a Christian association, but Nephele is purely "pagan". This did raise a few eyebrows among soem of our "God-fearing" friends and relatives :)
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How does one pronunce Nephele?I love Demetra, btw.Siri
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For a good approximation, go to http://www.research.att.com/projects/tts/demo.html
and type in Nehphelly
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Thanks, Pavlos! Very elucidating! Andy ;—)So it's basicly like in central Europe. The renaissance part seems interesting: What are the classical names that have come into use again? You are talking about "beautiful" names wiped out by the Orthodox Church - what would be the criteria of "beauty" today? I looked through some classical names and wondered if Laystrogyne, Klytaimestra, Hypsipyle, Asklaphos, Apsyrtos, Terpsichore, Thaltybios or Elephantine would be chosen by Greek parents today. I would think that taste has changed over 2000 years. (btw I can't find Socrates, Eros or Aphrodite in any of my saints books - is this because they are Orthodox?)
And one more question: Is there a Greek name meaning "happiness" or something alike, that was borne by a saint? I know there is "hedone" and "chairo(n)" even as a name. There is also Laetitia, but this is Latin.Thanks in advance!Andy ;—)
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Ah, beauty is in the eye and ear of the beholder. What I would personally consider "beautiful" is a name with an etymology that features interesting and concepts and symbolism. Of the names you mention, I have only seen Terpsichore in use today. It might sound as quite a mouthful, but it encompasses interesting concepts (terpsis = pleasure and Choros = dance or chorus). I actually have an aunt Terspi :) Of course I cannot imagine anybody naming their kids names such as Elephantine and Hermaphroditos -- unless they are sadists or wacky eccentric Greek versions of Frank Zappa, who named his kids Dweezol and Moon Unit. Here are some orthodox saints with "pagan" names, and their respective name days:
Xenophon, Jan.26
Hermes, March 8
Lydia, March 27
Pericles, April 10
Socrates, April 19
Achilles, April 24
Jason, April 29
Isidoros, May 14
Apollo, June 6
Alexander, August 8
Aristeidis, September 14
Zenon, September 24
Socrates, Ocrober 21
Nestor, October 27
Orestes, November 10
Plato, November 18As far a a Greek name meaning happiness born by a Saint, we have Eutychios (celebrated on April 8) and its female version Eutychia. The name literally means "good luck" although its metaphorically is synomymous to happiness :) Another case is Charikleia (which is usually shortened to Chara (happiness) celebrated on September 1. But the ultimate name you are looking for is Charalampos (he who shines "lampein" from happiness "chara") who is celebrated on February 10.
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Interesting, indeed! Must confess myself bemused at the thought of the blessed St Aphrodite ... And thanks for the Eutychios info! A friend of mine (Dimitra) is married to Eftychios Eftychis, or maybe it's Eftychis Eftychios; I find him quite pleasant, though he rather resembles Prof. Snape in the HP movies, but not quite up for a double happiness name award.Dimi has never forgiven him for insisting on naming their second son Creon, for family reasons. Not the kind of myth she cares to perpetuate!
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Oh yes, St Aphrodite is celebrated is celebrated every September 1. Makes churchgoing a temptation! My compliments to Eftychios Eftychis (I bet he hails from Cyprus!)for naming his son Creon -- just tell him to keep his son at a safe distance from Medea :P
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PSSome of the "pagan" names with no Christian saints associated I have seen inceasingly used include:
Agamemnon, Adonis, Agis, Alkaios, Alcestis, Alkinoos, Alcmene, Androkles, Arete, Artemis, Aristotle, Galateia, Damon, Daphne, Hector, Helle, Euridice, Euripides, Hebe, Electra, Hera, Hero, Themis, Thetis, Ierocles, Iole, Iris, Ismene, Kassandra, Kimon, Kleanthes, Korinna, Kriton, Kybele, Leda, Leto, Lykourgos, Lysandros, Megakles, Menelaos, Minos, Nausika, Nephele, Niobe, Odysseus, Orpheus, Persephone, Ploutarchos, Rhea, Telemachos, Phaedon, Philarete, Phoebus, Phoebe, Phrixos (name of my late parrot!),
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Thanks so much, Pavlos! Andy ;—)
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