I am an american married to a greek cypriot and we too had the same issue. In the end I gave in and named my first born son Zenonas after my father in law. We call him "Zen" for short and he in bodies the name in every way and I can not be happier that I gave in and named our son Zenonas. He feels like he has a legacy to live up to and it gives him amazing traditions to uphold and makes him feel apart of an amazing greek family and culture that we live too far away to be apart of everyday, but he feels it every time he visits.
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Sara Boyd
11 years ago
Spyridon is the name of my grandfather. Should the couple still fight, perhaps name the child Michael Spyridon Soukeras? It's against tradition but he could still choose to go by his middle name.
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A. Starks-Smith
11 years ago
Traditions should be honored and followed. Please name your son after his grandfather.
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Cveta Popović
11 years ago
Use Spyridon! It is a beautiful and unique name. It is not hard to pronounce (if people can learn to say "Kseniya" they can learn "Spyridon" just as easily! (just as they can say my name quite fine) Ethnic people and names are not a minority anymore in the US. My children's classrooms are filled with unusual names - made up and traditional. It's no big deal. Spiro is a cute nickname, too. And, just to be cheeky, I notice that the petitioner has left out the part about how the Greek Orthodox and Russian Orthodox wedding ceremonies instruct wives "to be subject to their husbands in all things" ;) So, there's that.
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Lillian Turner
11 years ago
I agree with the commentator above who pointed out that the kid's already going to have your last name. Insisting that he (if it is a he) has YOUR grandfather's name instead of your wife's grandfather's name is selfish. Where is the respect for your wife's family heritage? Do you have any? From the sound of your third paragraph, you don't. What sounds "barbaric" to your ears might sound like music to her, and may I remind you that Michael is the Archistrategos, the Defender of the Faith. Why wouldn't you want to name your son after he who is like unto God??
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ally
11 years ago
Everyone is named Michael. It's important to stand out, especially with the newer generations.
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Kenneth
11 years ago
I side with the father on this issue. It may be an uncommon name for modern times, but that is what makes it unique and special. If the child is born a girl then the wife should choose the name. The same option should be afforded to the husband if the child is a male. This way the child's name is in God's hands. When the child grows into adulthood I suspect he/she will appreciate the name and the effort it took to get it.
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Elpida Mavrikidou
11 years ago
Keep Greek traditions alive....
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Dana Pyzik
11 years ago
My wish is that your first baby be born healthy. I already know he/she will be loved very much. I think Spyridon Nicholas is a lovely tradition that should be carried on. Nicknames are popular these days so, Mama and Papa can always come up with a nickname to use too. I look forward to signing that petition when that discussion begins. Good Luck on the birth and Happy Parenting!!
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Kim Beauregard
11 years ago
Why force your wife to accept a name for her baby that she can't stand? Why should she force you to do the same? Choose another name that you can both agree on. I'm sure you have plenty of other family names available to you. Or start your own traditions here in the US. Successful relationships are built on compromise and mutual respect.
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Hillary
11 years ago
What A NAME! I love it!Pass the NAME down.. We keep so few Traditions..
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Linda
11 years ago
That's a badass name! What kind of a boy wouldn't like having a name starting with a word 'spy'? Might have problems when starting school though as it's harder to learn to write 'Spyridon' than 'Mike' or 'Adam'...
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Zhan Simeonov
11 years ago
As an Eastern European dating a latina, I agree with everything Mr. Soukeras has explained.
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Marjorie
11 years ago
Do it
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Matt Walker
11 years ago
From Florida
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Robyn
11 years ago
My first reaction was "hell, no!", but after reading the full article and really thinking about it I think it's really cool and he will appreciate it when he's older. I agree with other commenters...why not split the difference and use both names one as first, one as middle.
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E. Safiri
11 years ago
Name a son Michael Spyridon and Dad can call him Spy, like American kids will.
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Patti Lilienthal
11 years ago
Yay!
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Blacksoultan Infinitum
11 years ago
I don't mind weird names. My actual name is weirder than my handle is, actually.
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Cori Mist
11 years ago
Sir I hope you are reading this, I wouldn't sign your petition because whatever the two of you name your child is up to you two! Ask yourself why you feel the need to "fight" with your wife over this. Love your wife and child, talk her into it lovingly, this petition is stupid. Don't be a control freak, compromise. Talk to a counselor about this boiling blood problem, lol. WIFE: how about calling him Spy for short :)
I am an american married to a greek cypriot and we too had the same issue. In the end I gave in and named my first born son Zenonas after my father in law. We call him "Zen" for short and he in bodies the name in every way and I can not be happier that I gave in and named our son Zenonas. He feels like he has a legacy to live up to and it gives him amazing traditions to uphold and makes him feel apart of an amazing greek family and culture that we live too far away to be apart of everyday, but he feels it every time he visits.
Spyridon is the name of my grandfather. Should the couple still fight, perhaps name the child Michael Spyridon Soukeras? It's against tradition but he could still choose to go by his middle name.
Traditions should be honored and followed. Please name your son after his grandfather.
Use Spyridon! It is a beautiful and unique name. It is not hard to pronounce (if people can learn to say "Kseniya" they can learn "Spyridon" just as easily! (just as they can say my name quite fine) Ethnic people and names are not a minority anymore in the US. My children's classrooms are filled with unusual names - made up and traditional. It's no big deal. Spiro is a cute nickname, too. And, just to be cheeky, I notice that the petitioner has left out the part about how the Greek Orthodox and Russian Orthodox wedding ceremonies instruct wives "to be subject to their husbands in all things" ;) So, there's that.
I agree with the commentator above who pointed out that the kid's already going to have your last name. Insisting that he (if it is a he) has YOUR grandfather's name instead of your wife's grandfather's name is selfish. Where is the respect for your wife's family heritage? Do you have any? From the sound of your third paragraph, you don't. What sounds "barbaric" to your ears might sound like music to her, and may I remind you that Michael is the Archistrategos, the Defender of the Faith. Why wouldn't you want to name your son after he who is like unto God??
Everyone is named Michael. It's important to stand out, especially with the newer generations.
I side with the father on this issue. It may be an uncommon name for modern times, but that is what makes it unique and special. If the child is born a girl then the wife should choose the name. The same option should be afforded to the husband if the child is a male. This way the child's name is in God's hands. When the child grows into adulthood I suspect he/she will appreciate the name and the effort it took to get it.
Keep Greek traditions alive....
My wish is that your first baby be born healthy. I already know he/she will be loved very much. I think Spyridon Nicholas is a lovely tradition that should be carried on. Nicknames are popular these days so, Mama and Papa can always come up with a nickname to use too. I look forward to signing that petition when that discussion begins. Good Luck on the birth and Happy Parenting!!
Why force your wife to accept a name for her baby that she can't stand? Why should she force you to do the same? Choose another name that you can both agree on. I'm sure you have plenty of other family names available to you. Or start your own traditions here in the US. Successful relationships are built on compromise and mutual respect.
What A NAME! I love it!Pass the NAME down.. We keep so few Traditions..
That's a badass name! What kind of a boy wouldn't like having a name starting with a word 'spy'? Might have problems when starting school though as it's harder to learn to write 'Spyridon' than 'Mike' or 'Adam'...
As an Eastern European dating a latina, I agree with everything Mr. Soukeras has explained.
Do it
From Florida
My first reaction was "hell, no!", but after reading the full article and really thinking about it I think it's really cool and he will appreciate it when he's older. I agree with other commenters...why not split the difference and use both names one as first, one as middle.
Name a son Michael Spyridon and Dad can call him Spy, like American kids will.
Yay!
I don't mind weird names. My actual name is weirder than my handle is, actually.
Sir I hope you are reading this, I wouldn't sign your petition because whatever the two of you name your child is up to you two! Ask yourself why you feel the need to "fight" with your wife over this. Love your wife and child, talk her into it lovingly, this petition is stupid. Don't be a control freak, compromise. Talk to a counselor about this boiling blood problem, lol. WIFE: how about calling him Spy for short :)