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ArchivesIs the name Nicolae still used in Romania?
I'm wondering how the name Nicolae is perceived in Romania. Is it considered ruined because of Ceausescu or is it still used? (If you'd like, you can also try to find me examples of men with the name who were born after Ceaucescu's death.)
I know Elena is still used in Romania despite Elena Ceausescu being just as hated (if not more) as her husband.
I know Elena is still used in Romania despite Elena Ceausescu being just as hated (if not more) as her husband.
This message was edited 2/21/2015, 4:33 PM
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The name itself started being used less and less but not because of its association with Ceausescu. It's seen as an old fashioned name (kinda like you would see a Walter or a Gerald in English speaking countries).
Both names (Nicolae and Elena) are more associated with the respective saints than the dictator couple.
You have an interesting trend in Romania in terms of naming...my grandma's generation was full of Ana, Maria and Elena's. Then a generation came that was more into Andreas, Cristinas and Alexandras. Now you have a 'return to the roots' movement if you like, where Ana, Maria and Elena are back "in".
In terms of boys, biblical names that have never been 'in' in the past (except for small pockets of the country) are all the rage now. So now you see David, Thomas, Luca, Matei where in the past you would have seen Ioan, Vasile and Nicolae.
So my take on things...people stay away from Nicolae because it feels dusty and old, not necessarily because of the association (though of course that will always have some small part in it).
Hope this helps a bit.
Both names (Nicolae and Elena) are more associated with the respective saints than the dictator couple.
You have an interesting trend in Romania in terms of naming...my grandma's generation was full of Ana, Maria and Elena's. Then a generation came that was more into Andreas, Cristinas and Alexandras. Now you have a 'return to the roots' movement if you like, where Ana, Maria and Elena are back "in".
In terms of boys, biblical names that have never been 'in' in the past (except for small pockets of the country) are all the rage now. So now you see David, Thomas, Luca, Matei where in the past you would have seen Ioan, Vasile and Nicolae.
So my take on things...people stay away from Nicolae because it feels dusty and old, not necessarily because of the association (though of course that will always have some small part in it).
Hope this helps a bit.
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According to the following "hitparade" for names of newborns in Romania in 2009 there were nearly 2000 new Nicolae in that year:
http://www.desprecopii.com/info.asp?ID=2071
What is interesting however: I checked Facebook for that name and found not a single teenager or young man with this name in the first 50 or so search results.
Maybe the name was rather unpopular and thus rare in the years after Ceaucescu's fall in 1989, but now memories of the communist times faded enough to enable a return of the name?
http://www.desprecopii.com/info.asp?ID=2071
What is interesting however: I checked Facebook for that name and found not a single teenager or young man with this name in the first 50 or so search results.
Maybe the name was rather unpopular and thus rare in the years after Ceaucescu's fall in 1989, but now memories of the communist times faded enough to enable a return of the name?
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From my experience, most of the Nicolaes I know (of any age, actually) go by Nicu, the Romanian equivalent of Nick.
But even in English speaking countries I'd expect most teenagers to put "Nick LastName" on Facebook rather than "Nicholas LastName". Same thing with Tom/Tommy over Thomas and Fred/Freddie over Frederick. Sometimes some full names can be seen as a little pretentious.
Just my observations :)
But even in English speaking countries I'd expect most teenagers to put "Nick LastName" on Facebook rather than "Nicholas LastName". Same thing with Tom/Tommy over Thomas and Fred/Freddie over Frederick. Sometimes some full names can be seen as a little pretentious.
Just my observations :)
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