Epress.am News from Armenia
In recent years, names such as Alex, Milena and Eric have increased in Armenia. MIR TV even prepared a piece on the country’s love for exotic names.
Names registered in 1946 are kept in one of registrar’s offices (ZAGS) in Yerevan. The director explains: ideological names were widespread during the Soviet years; for example, Ilyich and Mels (an acronym for Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin). Now other trends are noticed.
“The most widespread, so-called in vogue names today are not of Armenian origin — Natalie, Milena, Alex, Erik. But we have names which are constant from generation to generation. These are traditional Armenian names: Ashot, Garik, Gor,” said director of the ZAGS at Erebuni district Anna Mkrtchyan.
Pushkin Mkhitar Serobyan doesn’t have curly hair or long sideburns, and he’s not gifted with poetic talent, but he’s Pushkin. “On the second day of the war, my father was called to military service. He wrote a letter: if a boy is born, name him Pushkin,” said Serobyan, telling the story of his own name.
For 33 years, Serobyan bore the name Pushkin, which often resulted in mishaps. Sometimes his first name was confused with his surname, while family and friends reproached him — you’re a serious man; your name doesn’t correspond. He decided to change his name, to become Armen; however, after that point, bad things begun to happen to him. A fortune teller told him about the mystical combination of circumstances in his life.
“It was all due to my name. I went to the ZAGS and asked to change my name back to Pushkin. In just two weeks, I received a call from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He told me about my appointment as chief of Sevan region,” he said.
Vanand Mkhoyan is no different from his peers — he likes cars, sports, internet, games. The only thing that distinguishes the 12-year-old is his unusual name. Vanand is an ancient Armenian name, which today few know about. “I really like my name. It’s unique, different from the others,” he says.
By laws, parents cannot be restricted in the choice of name, but ZAGS staff, nevertheless, still advise parents to name children with traditional names.