Seraphina's Names
.jpeg)
The 'Official' Name
The 'official' full name of Seraphina in all documents starting from her birth certificate, her Russian passport as well as her British passport, school diplomas, two Institute diplomas, one obtained in the Institute of Foreign Languages in Saint Petersburg, and one in the Haaga Helia Institute in Helsinki, is shown as 'Seraphima Nickolaevna Bogomolova'.
The 'official' full name, however, is not her true family name, as it was given to Seraphina at the moment of her having been brought to Leningrad USSR. Having been born in France, Seraphina is French by birth (Jus Soli), yet not having been registered in the French system due to her mother's decision to give her up to the Soviet system, she, at the time of birth, became stateless. The decision was taken in an unwinnable situation of having to give up children, in this case Seraphina, to the Soviet secret services. The reason for this was Seraphina's father's occupation - he was a Soviet undercover agent working as a diplomat in the Soviet Embassy in Paris, France, during the Cold War period. Thus, having become stateless in France yet French by birth, Seraphina then was given Russian citizenship and was legalised in Russia. Although she is a Russian national by right of blood (Jus sanguinis), due to the nationality of her biological father, she nonetheless had her 'official' documents made up using the name and surname of her foster father.
The might be names that her mother, Sophie (married name Sophie Druon) wanted to give her should Seraphina be registered in France, remain unknown. At the moment, her biological father's full name is also a mystery. However, Seraphina was able to trace her surname mother's maiden surname - de Prittwitz (von Prittwitz und Gafron). The Prittwitz surname, particularly as von Prittwitz, is associated with an old and noble German family, with origins in the regions of Silesia and Prussia. The family's history includes notable members in military and official positions, such as Prussian Generals.
The 'official' full name given to Seraphina in Leningrad, USSR, is comprised of the first name - Seraphima (Seraphina) , her foster father's first name - Nickolai turned into Nickolaevna, and his surname - Bogomolov which became Bogomolova in the feminine form.
Considering the circumstances of her birth and legalisation, which led to the issue of her 'official' documents by which she is so far known, she uses the name 'Seraphina (Seraphima) Bogomolova as her pen name. Hence all her books are published under the name Seraphina (Seraphima) Bogomolova.
The Unofficial New Name (part of the personal logo)
Recently, Seraphina has adopted an unofficial full name that better reflects on her personalty, character, life experience, and background. Her unofficial full name consists of the following names:
-
Seraphina - an English version of Seraphima
-
Michelina - Seraphina's second name
-
Aurélia - Seraphina's third name
-
Bogomolova-Huotelin - Seraphina's foster father's surname and her husband's surname
The name Seraphina, of Hebrew origin, means "burning ones" and is linked to The Seraphim, the highest ranking angels in the Bible. These angels are known for their zealous love and are often depicted as having six wings. The name is also associated with a sense of ethereal beauty and enchantment, as seen in its use by artists and musicians.
The second first name, Michelina, - reflects on the fist name of Seraphina's father - Mikhail. Michelina is the name is of Italian origin. The "-ina" suffix is an endearing diminutive, making it a "little Michele" or "daughter of Michel". The name has deep biblical roots, popularised in Christian cultures due to the Archangel Michael. Michelina possess a distinctive, vintage charm and unique appeal.
The third first name chosen by Seraphina, - 'Aurélia' - is an expression of the epithet 'sunny' that Seraphina was given by people whom she used to work with in London as well as a tribute to Seraphina's late sister, Aurélia Micheline Evelyne (DRUON) (August 1983- April 2009).
The name 'Aurélia' is of Latin origin. It is derived from the Roman family name Aurelius, and means "golden" or "the golden one". It evokes preciousness, brightness, and is associated with a legacy of intellect and wisdom, particularly through the famous philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius. The name 'Aurélia' is also a tribute to Seraphina's biological father who used to work for the Soviet intelligence services, hence the parallel with a legacy of intellect and wisdom.
Seraphina's current double surname - Bogomolova-Huotelin - consists of her foster father's surname - Bogomolova(a), - and her husband's surname, - Huotelin. The surname Huotelin consists of the two parts - 'Huot' and 'Elin'. 'Huot' is a Normandic name which is linked to such names as Hugh or Hugo. Hugh/Hugo comes from Germanic through Old French into English and means mind, heart, spirit, thought. In the Middle German, there is a word 'isenhuot' which means iron helmet. 'Elin' denotes 'body' or 'living'. Put together these two words can describe a man in the armour. In other words, a military man, a knight or a warrior but also a child of Hugh or a child of a military man with mid, heart, spirit and thought. Yet again a symbolic representation of Seraphina's biological father, his intellectual abilities, status, and former occupation.
Seraphina's Name Associations
The order of Seraphim
The Order of the Seraphim (Swedish: Seraphimerorden) is the highest order of Sweden.
The Order of the Seraphim was established on February 23, 1748 by the Swedish King Frederick I. The badge in the form of a gold medallion of blue enamel, on which the name of Jesus and four seraphim of red enamel are depicted, is known, dating back to the time of King Charles IX and is considered the knight's badge of this order.
According to the statute, this highest award was received by sovereigns, princes of royal blood, statesmen who, through their merits, had reached the first ranks in the state. The simultaneous number of knights of the Order of the Seraphim, which had one degree, was limited - 24 Swedish and 8 foreign knights, not including monarchs and princes. In 1811, the number of Swedish knights was increased to 32. However, these restrictions were often not observed later and the number of knights exceeded these numbers.
The insignia of the Order of the Seraphim include a gold cross, a star, a gold chain and a light blue ribbon.
The cross is eight-pointed (Maltese), white, enamelled, in a gold frame and with gold balls at the ends. In the center is a sky-blue ball with three white letters I. H. S. (Iesus Hominum Salvator - Jesus the Saviour of People). On the sides of the cross and under the letters are gold crowns, at the corners of the quadrangle are gold patriarchal crosses, and between them are gold heads of seraphim. On the blue field of the reverse side of the cross are three letters - F. R. S. (Fredericus Rex Sueciae - Frederick, King of Sweden). The cross is attached to the crown and on especially solemn occasions is worn on a gold chain of the order.
The chain of the order consists of alternating links in the form of gold heads of seraphim and blue enamelled patriarchal crosses. The chain is presented separately as an additional distinction.