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Embracing Golub: A Name, A Heritage, A Family
Embracing Golub: A Name, A Heritage, A Family
By Nicole Golub
My last name is Golub, and it means peace…sort of. The name’s literal meaning is ‘pigeon dove,’ but it could also be a nickname for a peace-loving person (Golub Family). My preferred interpretation of my last name is a mix of both meanings. Golub means dove, and the dove is a symbol of peace. If people ask me what my last name means, it obviously sounds cooler to say my last name means peace and not a pigeon.
Interestingly enough, Golub is not my full last name. When my ancestors came to America, they shortened the surname Golubchik to something shorter that sounded less Ashkenazic Jewish and was easier to pronounce. The shortening of my last name is an example of the adversity that my relatives faced. Jewish hatred was prevalent not only in the Russian areas that they lived in, but also in America during the early 1900s. For that reason, they decided to eliminate the last four letters in hopes of concealing their ethnicity to ensure a smooth transition into America.
The pronunciation of my last name is a heavily debated and controversial topic. We’ve heard it all: “Go-luhb,” “Ga-luhb,” “Ga-loob,” and my personal favorite, “Glob” (not sure where the ‘o’ went). The American pronunciation of my last name is “Gah-lub,” but if you were to say it in a Russian accent, the ‘ah’ would turn to an ‘oh.’ For that reason, we’re unsure which one is the correct way to say it, and I’ve learned to stop correcting people because I’m not even sure myself. It bothers me, though, when people completely butcher the pronunciation of my last name. When people I’m close to cannot say it properly, it creates a confusing sense of disconnect, as if they haven’t known me for years. My last name is a significant part of my identity, and it is associated with my family history and heritage. When someone mispronounces it, I feel as if they're not fully acknowledging or respecting that aspect of my identity.
On a more peaceful note, my last name holds a great deal of significance within my family. You might be familiar with the “White Dove Release” which is a symbolic act performed during special ceremonies such as weddings or funerals (David). The reason people do this is because the dove is a symbol of peace and love. Although I’m not implying that my family is the complete opposite of that, I would not define the Golub Thanksgiving dinner as a “peaceful” event. Though, what we do all have for each other is love. Our ‘dove’ language (pun intended) is small acts of kindness, sharing laughs, and being there for each other during our highs and lows. I am so grateful to be part of a family that is extremely tight-knit, loyal, and supportive to one another. To me, that is what it means to be a Golub.
Works Cited
David, Lauren. “Keep Seeing This Bird? It’s a Powerful Symbol of Love & Connection.” Mindbodygreen RSS, mindbodygreen, 16 Dec. 2022, www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/dove-symbolism.
“Golub Family History.” Golub Name Meaning & Golub Family History at Ancestry.Com®, www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=golub#:~:text=Ukrainian%20Rusyn%20Belorussian%20and%20Jewish,Compare%20Gollub%20. Accessed 12 Feb. 2024.
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