Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Name Change

Growing up, I had only one name, my Hebrew name, Chaya. Very few kids had Hebrew names (other than my siblings...). And of my siblings, I got the name which is difficult to pronounce with the "chet". Chaya means life, but there is another vocalisation which means animal. So, in addition to variations of people clearing their throats and spitting up phlegm in order to pronounce the "chet", I was often called "vildeh chaya", a wild animal, which I most certainly was not.
Although I did change my name briefly in my teens to something pronouncible but to me meaningless, I have come to terms with my name. I have even come to like it. And have finessed my comebacks to two. When someone says "Hiya Chaya (pronounced hiya hiya by those who can't or won't use the "chet") or says "vildeh chaya", I just say, now that's original. Never heard that one before. And when someone asks me how to spell my name and then pronounces it the way they think the spelling indicates, I thank them for enlightening me and saving me further embarrassment, having mispronounced it all these years...
So when I talk about a new name, I am referring to a new first name I hope to be adding soon -- Savta.
Nuff said.

2 comments:

Rayna said...

I love the name Chaya (and of course, I pronounce it the right way). Never connected it with my grandsons, some of whom are vilda chayas - LOL. But what is Sevta? That one, I never heard.

Thanks for the challah tip - I am determined to make another one before tomorrow night.

Chaya Erez said...

Savta is grandmother in Hebrew.

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