View Message

[Facts] Grandmothers Macedonian first name
Doing a little research on my grandmother's "original" first name. She was born "Vesela", born in the US of Yugoslav parents, 1917. Name was vaguely translated at some point to "Virginia" (which was legally her name), but one story is that her original name translated into "Felicia". Have talked to other family members who are confused, which is why I'm here. My middle name is Felicia, so named for my grandmother. Anyhow, the name is from Macedonia, Yugoslavia. I have found the name on one site but no meaning. Any help out there? Thanks!
vote up1vote down

Replies

Have a Vesela Day!Yes, the story you'd heard about the name "Vesela" being the equivalent of "Felicia " (meaning "happy") was absolutely correct. In the Bulgarian and Serb-Croatian languages, the word "vesela" means "happy".Here are two websites telling you how to say "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" in various languages, which confirm this:http://www.dwarfnet.com/christmas/languages.shtml
http://user.fundy.net/msgr/Merry_Christmas_in_as_many_languages.htm-- Nanaea
vote up1vote down
Thank you for your help! My grandmother just recently passed and my grandfather and my mother had heard several stories as to how it came about, they weren't even sure on the spelling. Thanks so much for reminding me of just how special my middle name is.
vote up1vote down
My condolences to you on your grandmother's passing. I think that "Vesela" is a lovely name.When you have a daughter of your own (if you haven't already), you may want to consider giving her that name (at least as a middle name).The story of how that name was passed down to her from her great-grandmother, as well as the link with her heritage, may perhaps be one of the best birthday gifts you can give her. :)-- Nanaea
vote up1vote down