What's Your Name? What's Your Story
BY SOFIA VLACHOS & PHOEBE WALLIS
We wanted to do a deep dive into the history behind the names of the Unihigh community and why they might have been named that. This included the meanings behind their names, some stories of their naming process and any additional information.
The first member of the Uni High community we will be discovering is Jules-Michael Catanchin!
Why were you named this?
Well Catanchin is my last name, and the only history I know about it (Which I got by my dad) was that long ago, the Catanchin's were royal Russians, I find it hard to believe but that is the only history I know. Now Jules-Michael is actually my first name, I prefer to be called by Jules, however, this is why I am named this. My mum wanted to name me Jules whereas my dad wanted to name me Michael, so they fused the names and made Jules-Michael, and students in University High call me Jackson Michael because I do Michael Jackson impressions.
What does it mean?
Jules-Michael is just a fusion name, I like to call it a fusion because I am a DBZ fan. Catanchin is just a last name, the only history I know is that Catanchins were a royal family in Russia long ago.
Some extra information?
My middle name is Andre, which is my grandfather's first name
Next up, We will find out more about the beloved staff member Maria Monica Chetty!
Why were you named this?
Maria after my maternal grandmother who was Mariam (Hindhi version), Monica after St Monica!! and Chetty was my married name.
What does it mean?
Chetty were petty merchants who carried their wares from village to village.
Some extra information?
My maiden name was Chinsami BUT a colleague said don't change back as the students will call me Cinzano!!
Next, we will be diving into the meaning of the Uni High student Phaidon!
Why were you named this?
My mum wanted my name to reflect a Greek heritage and at that one that was mythological. It also equalizes the unlucky English surname with an Ancient Greek first name.
What does it mean?
In Greek mythology, Phaethon was the son of the personification of the sun god Helios. He learnt of his divine father and decided to meet him, to which he did and proceeded to steal the chariot Helios used to raise the sun each morning. He flew the chariot and ended up disobeying Zeus and his father's orders to which Zeus struck him down and killed him. Oops
Some extra information?
Aussies can't pronounce it properly for some reason
Next up, we have Saiya!
Why were you named this?
My mum and dad hadn’t named me yet so they got a spreadsheet of syllables and put two together.
What does it mean?
I'm pretty sure it means shadow in Hindi or Indonesian.