She became famous while in France, married to a Curie, having daughters named Curie, winning Nobel prizes with her husband while there, and spending the rest of her life there. I don’t think it’s about a Polish curse, it’s about which name was more practical and natural for her to use, and being famous well beyond Poland. Curie is indeed easier to pronounce and more memorable in both French and English, and it’s common for famous people to go by their easiest name by choice (Bill vs William, John vs Jonathan, etc.). This in no way reduces her original name. Famous actors even look to have a stage (public) name to help them be more famous. She just got one naturally.
My Polish aunt took her husband’s Canadian name only because it was people did back then.
As for John Paul II, “Karol” just happens to rhyme with feminine name “Carol(e)” in English and French. He possibly wanted to avoid that himself.
Also, Norm MacDonald’s Polish joke is worth a listen. Look it up!
She became famous while in France, married to a Curie, having daughters named Curie, winning Nobel prizes with her husband while there, and spending the rest of her life there. I don’t think it’s about a Polish curse, it’s about which name was more practical and natural for her to use, and being famous well beyond Poland. Curie is indeed easier to pronounce and more memorable in both French and English, and it’s common for famous people to go by their easiest name by choice (Bill vs William, John vs Jonathan, etc.). This in no way reduces her original name. Famous actors even look to have a stage (public) name to help them be more famous. She just got one naturally.
My Polish aunt took her husband’s Canadian name only because it was people did back then.
As for John Paul II, “Karol” just happens to rhyme with feminine name “Carol(e)” in English and French. He possibly wanted to avoid that himself.
Also, Norm MacDonald’s Polish joke is worth a listen. Look it up!