Natalia and Natalia: what is the difference between these women's names

A ringing, and at the same time very gentle name, in which one can hear the murmur of a stream, the rustle of fresh foliage, a warm spring breeze is felt. Another 20-30 years ago, three girls from ten were called Natasha, Natusya, Natki. For some reason today the name of Natalya is less and less common. Perhaps, parents can not decide how to name the daughter? After all, there are two options: Natalia and Natalia. What is the difference, and are there any semantic differences in these names? Let's try to figure it out.

History of origin of the name

The name Natalia in Latin means "native, born." For example, the Italian Santa Claus name is Babbe Natal - Christmas grandfather. It is not accidental that medical institutions involved in family planning are called perinatal centers. In the root of "natal" there is clearly a connection with motherhood, birth. The name in various variations is found in many peoples of the world. In England, in France, in Germany - it's Natalie. In the Spanish-speaking countries, as well as in Greece, Italy, Hungary, Romania ─ all the same, familiar to us, Natalia.

Where did the soft sign come from?

Why is there a variant of a name with a soft sign in the penultimate syllable in Russia, and throughout the post-Soviet space? The version that Natalia is a common name, and in the noble families of girls called exclusively Natalia, does not hold water. It is enough to look at the biography of the wife of the great Pushkin: Goncharova, as well as her mother and daughter, were called Natalia. Most likely, the difference between the names of Natalia ─ Natalia look useless, and is there anyway? It is possible that a soft sign appeared in the ending for the convenience of pronunciation. In other languages, this letter is simply missing.

Famous women named Natalia

Scrolling through paper magazines and Internet pages, one can find information about many of our contemporaries, who are called Natalia. These are well-known actresses, journalists and politicians. Let's recollect even the brilliant stars of Soviet and Russian cinema: Krachkovskaya, Gundareva, Kustinskaya, Seleznev, Varley, Gvozdikov. Of course, we will not be able to look into their passports, but in those sources that are available to the general public, their name is written with a soft sign ─ the same as Natalia Vodyanova's model, former Crimean prosecutor Natalya Polonskaya, TV presenter Natalya Semenikhina. In any case, one can not ignore the beloved domestic audience Natalia Oreiro.

And the singer Natasha Koroleva was christened at the birth of Natalia. And although the Russian pop diva is Ukrainian by nationality, this does not explain anything. Except for one - this was the will of the parents of little Natasha. In the Slavic languages, the line between the meaning of the names Natalia and Natalia is practically erased. What is the difference, can explain only the appeal to Christian traditions.

Writing of female and male names, according to church canons

In the sacred books describing the lives of saints, many names are inscribed somewhat differently than when used in secular life. Compare: Sofia and Sofia, Maria and Marya, Tatiana and Tatiana. As you can see, the soft sign is not used anywhere. From this the names acquire a more sublime, solemn sound. The same applies to masculine names, even when there is no soft sign in them, consonant sounds are replaced by vowels, "and" by "e" or vice versa: Alex and Alex, Ilya and Elijah, Ivan and John, Semyon and Simeon.

From the fact that words are perceived by hearing differently, their semantic load does not change. Under this rule, obviously, the names are Natalia and Natalia. What is the difference, it is not difficult to answer ─ in writing and pronunciation. But this does not mean that these names are interchangeable. If the girl's parents were called Natalia, then you need to stick to this option in all official papers that prove your identity.

Writing own names, following the letter of the law

For all the identity of some names, one should not allow letters to be replaced when filling in passport forms, school certificates, university diplomas and other documents. Often such a mistake is made by employees of state institutions. From a legal point of view, Natalia and Natalia are different names. For example, a woman with a driving license in the name of Ivanova Natalia can reasonably be accused of an offense if her passport indicates that she is Natalia.

Similar problems often arise when withdrawing funds from bank accounts, receiving pensions and benefits, hereditary disputes, issuing foreign passports and travel documents, and in many other cases when some careless officials shrug their shoulders in surprise: "Natalia and Natalia? What is the difference? ". But when you apply to another state structure, this difference will be immediately noticed, and paperwork with the re-issuance of documents will be delayed indefinitely. Sometimes it is necessary to make such changes through the court, they know exactly how correctly: the name Natalia or Natalia should be recorded in exact accordance with the data specified in the birth certificate.

The day of Nativity in Orthodoxy

Maybe not everyone knows, but Natalia has her own day in the year (September 8), dedicated to the memory of Natalia of Nicomedia and her husband Adrian. These Great Martyrs belong to the early Christian saints. Events that occurred with a married couple are dated to the 4th century AD. It is described that Natalia, being raised in God's obedience, married a pagan named Adrian. Christians were then persecuted, and the emperor of those lands, Maxim Galerius, brutally dealt with the adherents of the new teaching.

Natalia's husband served as head of the court chamber, where they brought in for questioning the martyrs for the faith of God. Having penetrated the stamina of these people, Adrian also adopted Christianity, for which he was tortured and executed. Natalia up to the last supported the spouse in his sufferings and asked that he, having got into the Kingdom of God, begged the Most High for death and for her. A few days later, after burying her husband's body, the woman died. And although she did not suffer physical torments, the church ranked Natalia in the face of the Saints for the suffering she had suffered. The Great Martyrs Adrian and Natalia are considered patrons of the family and a happy marriage.