«έγινε Λούης» /he became Louis, and How I became Louis in America

 «έγινε Λούης» /he became Louis, and How I became Louis in America-

On this day in January 12, 1873 Spyridon Louis the first modern Olympics Marathon winner was born in Marousi. It was the only Hellenic victory in a track and field event at the 1896 Olympic games. Since then the common Hellenic phrase "έγινε Louis" / he became Louis has come to mean "to disappear by running fast", etc.. The phrase is frequently used by Hellenes when making jokes about thieves, lotharios, lovers, etc. who "disappeared/ ran away quickly".

So how did I and most Hellenic Americans became "Louis" (particularly in the past) in America versus our real name Hlias/Ilias or Elias since Louis is "absolutely not" the equivalent/translation of Ηλίας/Ilias in English ? It relates certainly originally to Hellenes trying to blend into the "melting pot" (like Dimitris becoming James and also not equivalent , etc) and not stand out as a foreigner but also relates to Ηλίας in the Hellenic familiar/provincial was referred to in shorthand as "Λια/ Lia". Around the time of the great pride in Spyridon Louis who became internationally famous, and after, someone came up with the concept that Ηλίας or Λια/ Lia (in the familiar) can be called a Louis and be proud to carry that name. Louis of course is the French form of the Old Frankish given name Chlodowig and one of two English forms, the other being Lewis . The Frankish name composed of the words for "fame" (hlōd) and "warrior" (wīg) which may be translated to famous warrior or "famous in battle". As such that is how έγινα /I became Louis in America.

Ilias I. Katsos