Looking at people’s reactions to my pseudonym, I have come to realise that unless you are Spanish or French, there is little chance that you understand what it means. So I thought it deserved an explanation.

First, Europasionaria = Euro+Pasionaria, and not Europa+Sionaria. That should already make things clearer to some of you.

How did it come up to my mind? I wanted my pseudonym to start by Euro and to reflect what I am. I had thought of it many times, had several ideas, yet couldn’t find something that felt right.

Then one dark Friday night, it came to me. I am a passionate person, an idealist, a strong woman… I am also of Spanish origin. So the word “pasionaria” came to my mind. Europasionaria was born.

Alright… but what does “pasionaria” mean?

Passion Flower - CC Nikonsnapper on Flickr

• “La pasionaria” was the nickname of a great Spanish Republican woman who fought with a lot of courage and dignity during the Spanish civil war.
• Since that great woman, “pasionaria” became in the French language a common noun used to describe a woman who defends a cause with passion and determination.
• “Pasionaria” actually means passion flower in Spanish.

Europasionaria: French and Spanish, passionate about politics, passionate about Europe, flower of the European passion… I liked all of these associations of ideas. Besides, I just liked the sound of it. Words with lots of “A”s in them just sound better.