Introducing Daria Platania

I finally did it – I changed my name. Or adopted a new one. Like a new set of clothes for autumn. Or a new pair of sunglasses. A new school year – a new me!

Well, this name is not completely new. I was called Daria at birth, and in 2003 (my first year at Oxford) I decided to transliterate my name as Darya with a "y" (according to the official BGN/PCGN romanization system). My name is spelled “Daria” in my Italian passport, and this year my married name, Platania, will be added to it. The “Dr” part comes from my doctorate in English literature.

This is not just a new name – this is my new PEN NAME. Which means my writing will be even more about here and now, whatever my here and now is. Right now I am an Italian citizen, born in the USSR, currently living in London. Follow me for updates on my anti-war writing, comedy sketches about marital life, and stories about immigrant women in London.

Oh, and I must visit Greece soon, as Platania is actually Greek, πλατάνια, meaning “of the plane trees”. Plant-based surnames are simply the best, am I right?

Have you ever changed your name? How did it make you feel? I’d love to hear your thoughts in comments!