Do You Know My Name?

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Do you know that “Yiotis” is only half my name?

In Greece, “Yiotis” is a nickname for Panayiotis—but it’s not very common. You’ll mostly hear it up north. My full name is Panayiotis Katsafouros, and guess what? That was also my grandfather’s name.

It’s tradition in Greece that the first son is named after the father’s father, and the first daughter after the father’s mother. That’s why in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, they joke about having 12 cousins named Nikos—because it’s true!

Now, here’s where it gets complicated (and very Greek):
One of the ways we separate people with the same name and last name is by adding the father’s name in official documents. So my name is Panayiotis Katsafouros of George—George being my dad.
But… my grandfather? He was also Panayiotis Katsafouros of George, because my father was named after his grandfather. Confused yet?

Still, I think it’s beautiful. Our family name has been tied to the same piece of land, the same olive farm, for over a century, always under the name Panayiotis Katsafouros of George. First my grandfather, and now me.

And maybe that’s why I was the favorite grandkid.
Don’t worry—my sister and cousins were all nine years older than me. The age gap kept everything peaceful. No jealousy, just me soaking in every moment with my grandfather.

Funny how a name can carry so much story, tradition, and land with it.