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

1. Lasha Bakradse, French translation Dominique Gauthier-Eligoulachvili : "Le Géorgien de poche. Noms de famille et prénoms", Assimil 2003.
2. "Le Gouvernement de Réfugés" (PDF). French office of refugee (in French). 12 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015..
3. "Serge Méliava (1937-2011), ancien président de l'Association géorgienne en France". colisee.org (in French). 26 November 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2015. .
4. "Hélène Méloua, chef de collection d'origine géorgienne". colisee.org (in French). 29 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2015..
5. "Mirian Méloua, ingénieur et journaliste, d'origine géorgienne". colisee.org (in French). 29 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2015..