As a foreigner, you might be surprised why I set up my private website under an .asia domain.
Here’s the funny story about it.
My name is Joanna Murzyn, which is the name on my ID and passport, but in my country of origin, which is Poland, Joanna also has a more informal and diminutive version: Asia.
You can pronounce it almost like “Asha.”
I especially like this connotation with Asha, as it has rich and diverse meanings rooted in different cultures.
- In Sanskrit, Asha (आशा) means “hope,” “wish,” or “desire”
- In Arabic, Asha means “alive” or “healthy”
- The name is also connected to the Swahili word derived from Aisha, which means “life”
- In Zoroastrianism, Asha represents “truth” and “order,” personified by Asha Vahishta, a divine entity associated with righteousness and cosmic order.
How as a child I found out that Asia is also a part of our globe?
When I was a kid, I remember my older uncle showing me a key ring featuring a miniature world map. This was the first time I saw it in English. Imagine the shock of a 5-year-old girl who saw her name on this tiny representation of Earth!
I felt like part of the planet belonged to me. I gave him all my pocket money to get it. I was extremely proud and carried it with me for a whole summer, until someone explained to me that this is also the English name for a continent on our planet. And then the whole magic and pride suddenly disappeared.
In summary, the .asia domain holds a special place in my heart.
It’s not just a funny play on my nickname, but also a reminder of a cherished childhood memory. This domain connects my personal identity with a sense of global belonging, bridging my Polish roots with my place in the wider world.
It’s a perfect representation of how our personal stories can intersect with larger geographical and cultural contexts in unexpected and delightful ways.
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little-asia.webp (18.23 KB)
