Just Curious

F.A. vs. Salma Hayek

Friedrich A. von Hayek and Salma Hayek are probably the two most celebrated Hayeks in recent history. The former a Nobel Laureate in Economics (1973) and the latter an Oscar-nominated actress (2003). Any relations here? Unfortunately no.

The older Hayek's last name comes from the Czech name Hajek. And it's not even surprising, since Czech, or Bohemia, as it was then known, was long part of the Autro-Hungarian Empire, where F.A. Hayek grew up.

On the other hand, Salma Hayek is a half Lebanese-Arab/half Mexican born in Mexico. Her last name came from the Arabic Ha'ik (correct me on this.)

Amazing, isn't it? One would think of "Hayek" as a rather unique name but apparently we've got different roots for it...

posted by James Chang @ 8:39 AM