Melia (surname)
Melia is a family name originating in the Caucasus state of Georgia (Georgian: მელია). It is believed to be derived from the word melia (sometimes mela), meaning "fox". Names derived from Melia are Meliava, Meliva, Melua, Meluava or Meladze.[1]
History
20th century
Some individuals bearing this name sought refuge abroad after the Red Army invaded the country.[2]
- Elie Melia (1915-1988), lived in Belgium and then in France; priest and historian of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
- Alexandre Meliava (1908-19XX), refugee in France
- Mirian Melua (1903-1991), refugee in France
21st century
There are people bearing the name living in western Europe, children of Elie Melia :
- Nina Melia
- Elie Melia, son
- Ketevan Melia.
There are Meliavas living in western Europe, children of Alexandre Meliava :
- Guy Meliava (1939-2006), French designer
- Michel Meliava, French engineer
- Natacha Meliava, French business advisor
- Serge Meliava (1937-2011),[3] former President of the Georgian Association in France
There are also Meluas living in western Europe:
- Elen Melua,[4] former head of a French fashion collection
- Katie Melua, British singer
- Luc Melua (1936-2010), French motorist and journalist
- Mirian Melua, son,[5] chief editor of the newsletter Les Infos Brèves France Géorgie.
References
- ↑ Lasha Bakradse, French translation Dominique Gauthier-Eligoulachvili : "Le Géorgien de poche. Noms de famille et prénoms", Assimil 2003.
- ↑ "Le Gouvernement de Réfugés" (PDF). French office of refugee (in French). 12 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015..
- ↑ "Serge Méliava (1937-2011), ancien président de l'Association géorgienne en France". colisee.org (in French). 26 November 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2015. .
- ↑ "Hélène Méloua, chef de collection d'origine géorgienne". colisee.org (in French). 29 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2015..
- ↑ "Mirian Méloua, ingénieur et journaliste, d'origine géorgienne". colisee.org (in French). 29 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2015..