I hated my name growing up.
If you’ve never seen or heard it before, I am sure you would be nervous to give it a go. I have friends, exclusive to social media, who have asked me how to say it. So, I make it a point when I meet someone in person to introduce myself, even if it is obvious who I am. I like to skip the awkward stutter of an attempt. You’re welcome.
American Pronunciation
Dacia is actually a European name, specifically Romanian. It’s rich in history, but we’ll get to that in a moment. In America, the common pronunciation of Dacia is Day-sha. This is the case with every Dacia I have ever met. Because it is unusual in the States, I don’t mind that people ask multiple times what it is or how to say it.
My name rhymes with Geisha. And that is 100% the best way to remember it. I am a published author and a writing coach As a public figure of sorts, I often have to address the correct pronunciation of my name. It becomes a big to-do at events, conferences, and interviews.
Other ways people remember my name: Day-shift, Déjà vu (it’s close and depending on my mood, I might correct you. Just know I roll my eyes on the inside). But honestly, if you do butcher my name, I will laugh and tell you that I have been called worse… because it’s true.
European Pronunciation
In Europe, Dacia is a popular car brand, much like Ford is to the US. The Dacia Sandero is often mocked, as the Ford Focus is mocked in the US. The brand of car has many pronunciations depending on accents throughout the continent. The most common of them being Dotch- uh. If I ever move to Europe, this is the brand of vehicle I will purchase, and I will pronounce it like my name. Because Day-sha Duster (their brand of SUV) sounds way better.
As some of you may know, my father is also an author. He also prides himself as a history buff and studied the Roman Empire at much length in his youth. This led to the discovery of the country Dacia which existed until the mid-100s A.D.
After the Roman empire took over the country, it became a region of Romania where ruins and artifacts are still recovered to this day. The plains are lush, green and hold a beautiful landscape on the western shores of the Black Sea. Running through the plains of Dacia are the Carpathian Mountains. This pronunciation is shared with the brand of car: Dotch-uh. Now I feel defeated.
Summary
So, we learned today that Dacia pronounced in American English is wrong. This is definitely not the direction I intended this post to go, but I will own it. I will also remember when I do my book tours in Ireland and New Zealand that clarifying the pronunciation of Dacia is an uphill battle in which I will lose. Just like the ancient kings of Dacia and the Sandero in a race.
Note: Please never call me Dotch-uh.
Probably the best writing mentioning the ancient land of my people, Dacia, I have ever read in English. I am truly impressed. It was fun, put in the contemporary as well as revealing the roots, the true history behind it.
I am really happy to have come across your blog, Dacia!
It is so nice to have this perspective. I felt clumsy writing about European culture having only stopped briefly while traveling. Was I correct on the European pronunciation? What do you think of the American pronunciation?
I loved reading this. My name is Dacia as well and we say it like Daysha. I have many people read it and call me Darcy or Darcia! It makes no sense as there is no “r” or “y” in my name. It’ll never end, the mispronunciations but I love having a unique name. Learning where it properly comes from is super cool!
This has been my dilemma all my life too-Darcy or Darcia. I hated the first few days of school each year and having to train new teachers how to say my name.
If you look at the maps in the back of an Old Testament Bible, you can see Dacia shown as a country, what is now Romania.
Now I love my name.
Loved this post. I assumed the correct pronunciation was Day-sha because in English anything ending in the letters “cia” is pronounced sha. Knowing the culture your name comes from, however, is enlightening. Good to know I could have had it incorrect. Romania is near Hungary. When I was growing up we had neighbors that originated in Hungary. Their last name was Rostas. Thank you for the history lesson. It’s one of my favorite subjects.
Yes, even the name Irina was mispronouned by Americans. I can really imagine that the name Dacia would be a nightmare!
It was a great article. My name is Dacia also.
Why do people add an R?!? I’ve never figured this out.