Yulia
Gelman
The
Ocean
I like my name now, but I
hated it when I was at school. It was not popular at that time, and I
was the only Yulia in my grade. It didn't sound very Russian, and I
wanted to be Russian, because it was absolutely not cool to be
Jewish. I dreamed about having straight blond hair and a simple
beautiful name, such as Olga, Irina, or Nadia.
However, today I am
comfortable with my name, Yulia. In the first years of my new
American life I introduced myself as Julia, but then I decided I like
soft sounds of Yulia better than Ju-Ju – bee buzz. Also, even if I
call myself Julia, because of my accent, people immediately realize
that I am a foreigner. I eventually decided to call myself Yulia, an
Eastern-European variant of Julia. I inherited this name from
my grandfather, my father's father, who was a soldier in World War II
and died in 1941. Their regiment was surrounded by Nazis somewhere in
Ukrainian steppes, no one survived. His name was Yoel, another Jewish
name. My parents decided that Yulia sounded similar to it.
I know that Yulia is an
ancient Greek name, and it means “wavy” in Greek. Probably, that
is why I love water. I like to be by the ocean, watch the waves
rolling on the beach and listen their sound. I love to lay on the
water on my back in a cross shape and look at the sky. In the sky,
high above me, clouds float slowly. Seagulls scream in crazy voices.
Sometimes a plane will fly silently, leaving behind a long white
tail. A little later, I will hear its sound.
Inheriting names from their ancients is very awesome. Every time when I have to explain the meaning of my name, I really don't know where my name come from. Although I don't really like my name, I still want to know where it comes from. Honestly, your name come from your great grandfather that is very awesome.
ReplyDeleteWhen I knew your name is Yulia, I was thinking what a cute name. Because no one names Yulia in your grade, it means you are unique, you can be the only ocean in your life.
ReplyDeleteHi Yulia, you are right, I didn't realize you are Russian. I have to admit I know Russia form single story.
ReplyDeletei think your name is very commemorative because it records the story of your grandfather.maybe some people do not like their name, so they change their name. for me, i agree with them because they have their decision.at the same time, i agree with you too because you have your own decision. believe yourself.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHello dear Yulia, I so glad we are in same class. My family culture so close to Russia. My father and sister both graduated in Russian their university, also my family lived in Russia when I was in elementary school. I remember that I had a few friend from class Olga, Dmitri. Mishka, and Sasha. I would like to practice my Russian language with you.
ReplyDeleteHello Bayasb! By the way, my son's name is Mikhail - we call him Mishka at home :) Let's practice Russian! До встречи!
ReplyDeleteHello Yulia! Every name is unique, I like your name and the sound of it. I really like it when you explain the history of your name and where it comes from.
ReplyDeleteHi julia! I like "Yulia" this name because it sounds soft. The most impressing thing is the "wavy"meanig of your name. It shows a beautiful image to me, it is so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi Julia! I think your name sounds very romantic in Spanish, despite of you switch the J for Y still sounds beautiful; in Spanish many writers name to their female main character Julia.
ReplyDeleteThe meaning of your name is beautiful because I love ocean too. Actually I like the names that ends with “a” letter.
ReplyDelete