I’m starting over, yet again, & some major changes are taking place as I type this update. I just decided, at the age of 40, that Im dropping my first name, “Gülşen,” mainly in the professional sector. I really only use it when I visit family abroad & while its a lovely name in Turkish, meaning Happy Rose, Paradise, or Rose Garden in varied parts of the world, it leaves most perplexed at best & unsure as to how to even take a stab at the pronunciation. The little accent marks rarely translate in the written form -- “Gulsen” instead of “Gülşen,” which is simply not the same name (like being called John when your name is actually Joan). Also, I’m pretty tired of having to explain my name, repeating it over & over & over again (my dad seemed to pick one of the most DIFFICULT names in the Turkish language to pronounce, WTH?!? ;)). Im very proud of my Turkish heritage, but was born & raised in the U.S., therefore I’m a little over being mistaken for an “outsider” before I even open my mouth. I have given this subject great thought & have even researched extensively the psychology behind names (the naming process, the professional, educational impact, etc.), especially as I went through the arduous, daunting task of naming my own child. I chose Dalyan, which is a magical place in Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea known for ancient Lycian ruins in the mountain faces, therapeutic mud baths considered to have anti-aging properties, beautiful sea turtles, & the lovely Dalyan River which flows through the once little fishing village & now major attraction of Dalyan, Turkey. Even in Turkey, “Dalyan” is a unique name for a person, kinda like those named London, Dallas, or Paris elsewhere. Furthermore in Turkish, “Dalyan” refers to a male who is “strong, tall, & powerful,” definitely befitting my boy. I would consider myself a fairly ardent feminist & have always loved my family name of Ali, (an Arab name used by Turks), so I will use it as a middle name. Imagine the hassle at airports as “Gülşen Deniz Ali.” My poor dad “Hassan Bekir Ali” has been harassed for years while traveling with a government passport, even with a secret clearance!! I have contemplated Ali-Celestin since I wed eight years ago, however I maintain that the contrived hyphenated name is cumbersome & I wish to share the same last name as my son. I guess this name change may symbolize my desire to simplify my life. And if you have read this far, congratulations, & thanks for caring!! :)
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 00:38:00 +0000
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