By Colleen Haleyson
First names – they reflect our heritage, our parent’s values and, for many cultures, names serve as earnest wishes for a child’s future or expressions of the individual’s character. When naming a child, families around the world draw inspiration from their rich realities, resulting in an array of customs and practices that are quite different from our own.
Native American:
Hundreds of Native American tribes lived autonomously from one another, and each had their own culture and traditions. However, whether they resided alongside the Atlantic or were nestled in the dry desert, the names they gave their children held great significance and were closely tied to the natural world. Additionally, for many tribes, like the Sioux of the Great Plains, a given name would change as the individual entered adulthood and would be shaped by his or her heroic fetes or distinguishable characteristics. Furthermore, in later years, he titles were often not granted by the parents but spiritual leaders. With names being assigned such value, it is no surprise that various tribes like the Navajo considered names to be so sacred that they are only uttered during select rituals.
Ireland:
With a history that spans back thousands of years, Ireland’s yesteryear has been influenced by such societies as the Vikings, British, Catholics and Celts. This continues to be reflected in many of the Irish names heard today. While some names mirror the Celtic practice of being inspired by nature (like Brandon, which means “hill”), others draw from physical attributes (like Fiona, which means “white” or “fair”). Both Paganism and Catholicism impact parents as well. Because of the England’s historic attempts to restrain usage of the Irish language, it was customary to have an alternative English name. Though there is no set rules about the passing along of names, it is extremely common to name the firstborn boy after their paternal grandfather, the second born male to be named after the maternal grandfather, the third named after the father and the fourth after an uncle; the firstborn girl is conventionally after the maternal grandmother, the second after the paternal grandmother, the third after the mother and the fourth after an aunt.
Among American families, Irish names are becoming increasingly popular, with Aiden ranked the most popular boy’s name of 2012. In a time in which parents are looking to break the mold and yet stick with the familiar, Irish names like Liam (the fourth most popular boy’s name in 2012) provide a twist to conventional English names (like the British counterpart William).
India:
In India, the ceremony surrounding the announcement of the baby’s name is a celebration of grand proportions. The Namakarena is customarily held 7-12 days after the birth (though Buddhists hold off for three months so the baby is more aware), and the community gathers within the household where a priest blesses the baby. While the details vary from region to region, the uniting thread is that the father or aunt whispers the chosen name into the infant’s ear while she/he is held in the mother’s arms. Afterwards, it is common that members of the extended family touch honey or sugar to the child’s lips while bestowing gifts upon the family.
Names are often passed down along family trees and many monikers are derived from Hindu gods and goddesses. Horoscopes and star alignments under which the infant is born can also determine the first letter of the name.
The Philippines:
Like many cultures, nature shapes many Filipino names like Bondoc (meaning “mountain”) and Ulap (meaning “cloud”). Also similar to other countries, children are often called after loved ones. However, a distinctly Filipino element is that it is common to have children of the same household all bear the same first name but have dissimilar second names that differentiate them from one another; for instance, three bothers might be called Jose Francisco, Jose Garcia and Jose Rafael. Understandably, nicknames are very common and are regularly created by combining parts of the two names. As the Philippines is a melting pot of various cultures, the sources for names is varied, though Christian, Spanish and Portuguese influences are prevalent.
Tell us, what inspired your choice in your child’s name?
A lifelong Californian-girl, Colleen Haleyson loves to sail, ski, hike and explore the great outdoors. As a part-time Pilates instructor and a full-time wife and mother of three, Colleen loves to write about her experiences about raising a healthy family and the everyday joys (and challenges) of parenting.
