Why do Greeks have so many names

The truth is, no non-Greek has ever said or read my name correctly, and it is ok.?

My formal name is Konstantina, but since I was born people call me Nantia.?

When I moved to Europe, from Nantia I became Nadia, or Nadi, or Nadin.?

I never had a problem with how people are calling me, I appreciate that at least they remember approximately how my name is, because, I myself am really bad with names.?

My email accounts, some of my bills, my member cards, and all my newsletters are all under the name Nadia.?

In my work, my close colleagues know my name, but my accounts are all under my formal one.?

Why all this confusion you might be wondering.?

Is it worth it??

If you work with other Greeks, there is a very big percentage that they have a different official name than the one that they are called. Like me. And this is normal.?

Do you know a Vivi? Is Evaggelia or Paraskeui,

A Roula? Is Spyroula or Spyridoula,?

A Lia or Vicky? Is Evaggelia,?

Mimi? Is Dimitra

Noula? Is Despoina

Anna or Natassa? Is Anastasia

Soula? Is Tasoula, Anthanasoula or Anastasoula

Fey? Is Foteini

Ntina? Is Konstantina

Nitsa? Is Katerina, Eleni, or Katina

Chara? Is Charitini

Zeta or Gogo? Is Georgia

Taki? Is from Anastasios, Petros, Efstratios

And the list goes and goes.?

But Why??

Naming a child might seem a simple procedure in other countries, but not in Greece.?

In Greece naming a child can make or break the relationship of a whole family.?

In the olden years, it was really important to follow the traditions regarding the naming, and be really careful who’s heart you are gonna break.??

Tradition says:?

The 1st boy gets the name of the father of the father and the 1st girl the name of the mother of the mother.?

All the children are baptized till the age of 6 months, the name has to be Christian or be an Ancient Greek name, and only the father has the right to register the child’s name at the City hall.?

And yes you read correctly, this is a law that holds tight till this day.?

So I was the first child, and I got the name of my father’s father.?

My father decided not to go with the tradition, so my mother decided that I will be called Nantia.?

From Konstantina, I became Ntina, and then in reverse, Nanti-a. Everyone took what they wanted from my naming, and I can say I am also happy and I am loving it.?

Some of us have 2 names, mostly girls, like my 2 sisters. One is called Victoria-Anthoula, the other Anthoula-Konstantina.?

It was the turn of the name of my grandmother from the side of my mother, but my parents thought that giving also my other’s grandmother’s name, will make her happy. And indeed she flew to the moon and back. My other grandmother, couldn’t stop crying at the Christening.?

There is always a story hidden behind every Greek name that has been changed, a small rebellion against tradition, that used to dictate Greeks and sometimes still does till today.?

Greeks want their parents to be proud of them, and Greek parents are not easily impressed. Giving your child their name can give you absolute forgiveness or better terms and position at the will (cruel, I know).

And don’t forget to read the name correctly. Reading Greek is very easy because you read every letter you see and every word has an accent sign, like the one on my name: Ν?ντια