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ArchivesDjuna -- as in Djuna Barnes, the author, 1892-1982
in reply to a message by Diana
"Djuna" appears to be an invented name. The biography *Djuna: The Life and Work of Djuna Barnes* by Phillip Herring, includes an except from a letter written by Djuna Barnes in February of 1967, in which she answers the name origin question of someone who had named her own daughter after the author:
"It is a name made up by my father… there was no other Djuna, only me. Then my niece got it, and now your daughter. How nice! If the name means anything, it means 'the light of the moon,' because my eldest brother, when an infant, called the moon 'nuna'. My father, at that time, reading the novel *The Wandering Jew* by Eugene Sue (?), liking the Prince therein, called 'Djalma' (Indian) (I think) put the Dj on to the 'una', and there you are, and blessings on her."
-- Nanaea
"It is a name made up by my father… there was no other Djuna, only me. Then my niece got it, and now your daughter. How nice! If the name means anything, it means 'the light of the moon,' because my eldest brother, when an infant, called the moon 'nuna'. My father, at that time, reading the novel *The Wandering Jew* by Eugene Sue (?), liking the Prince therein, called 'Djalma' (Indian) (I think) put the Dj on to the 'una', and there you are, and blessings on her."
-- Nanaea
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Replies
Many, many thanks! I just adore the name - heard it first in Woody Allen's movie "Everyone Says I Love You" - the narrator's name is Djuna. I have heard of Djuna Barnes but have not had the opportunity to read her work. A friend has told me I'll love it. My husband and I are expecting twin girls and hope to name one Djuna and the other Dinah. Thank you so much for the information!
Diana
Diana
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You're welcome. :) And, I suppose you already knew that the name is pronounced: "joo-nah" (the "D" is silent).
-- Nanaea
-- Nanaea
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