Growing up I’ve always had an issue trying to explain to people I meet that my surname Fokas is pronounced the same way you would focus. My parents came from Europe in the late ’50s into Australia for a better life, just like the typical European story of many individuals they also had issues with explaining to people the pronunciation of the surname. Our surname originates back in the 1600s in Constantinople where Fokas was a royal family. We have a coat of arms which is still used today and when the ottomans went into Constantinople and took over, the majority of the family moved out and over into the Ionian island of Kefalonia. Other Fokas members moved up north to Macedonia and some went to Cyrpus. In fact today there is a Saint Fokas in Cyprus that is celebrated every year on the holy name day which is on the 22nd of September. 
 
Many now in Cyprus who have the same surname spell it Phocas and even Phokas. So there is another spanner in the works when it comes to spelling and pronunciation.
 

Fokas Beyond Around The World

So when I present now around the world, I make a point of it to let people know that my surname is spelt Fokas and pronounced Focus just like a camera, however, spelt the correct way Fokas. It does cause a laugh in the audience and most people get it and, are then able to pronounce it correctly.
 
There are so many people who have authentic first names and spelt in a way that for some, it takes time to pronounce and say it correctly. Imagine the frustration they feel when people are constantly pronouncing their name incorrectly, some give up over time and others keep correcting people.
 
I try and get in first so people don’t pronounce it wrong and I tell them how it’s pronounced. Over the last 16 years of me travelling the world speaking on various stages and platforms alongside big international names, it does feel good when a presenter introducing you calls you up on stage and introduces you with the correct surname, FOKAS!

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