By Melody Kenney

Some cross-cultural thoughts about names...

Home to hundreds of languages - over 1000 ethnic groups Name is most valued possession - it survives death Children are revered throughout Africa - naming ceremony is ritualistic and festive Africa

“milk” names - birth (may be disgusting to keep away evil spirits) “book” or “school names - when they enter school “marriage” name - at time of his wedding Another name when entering a career “everyday” name to use with close friends Surname - generational name “Ornamental” name - with great personal meaning Some cross-cultural thoughts about names... China - Male Names May have many names:

Some cross-cultural thoughts about names... “milk” names - birth “marriage” name - at time of his wedding “everyday” name to use with close friends Surname - generational name - keeps hers and adds his as a courtesy “Ornamental” name - with great personal meaning Names are more elegant and graceful China - Female Names

Some cross-cultural thoughts about names... Each tribe is unique cultural group Common to many is bestowing names during important times Birth Puberty Adulthood Event marking achievement Change of rank Names influenced by nature / feat / characteristic are common Native Americans

Some cross-cultural thoughts about names...

Preferred names reflecting warfaring ways Surnames and family names unknown Given names were expressive of a certain idea Root names derived from mythology, animals, words relating to war and peace, nature and social status Germany - Early Germans

Some cross-cultural thoughts about names... Names made from elements of parent names - nonsensical Under Hitler: Names were censored - approved list Nicknames weren’t allowed Jewish people had to adopt “Jewish sounding” names Germany - Later naming practices

Some cross-cultural thoughts about names... German mythology Names from Low German dialects Foreign / Slavonic / French names Saints’ names (Catholic influence in southern Germany) Surnames: PlacesOccupational Names Descriptive NamesAnimals Patronymics Germany - Modern naming trends

Some cross-cultural thoughts about names...

Hindu/Indian Names Source for names are most commonly from the names of the Gods Hindu children can have as many as three names Common practice to mention a person’s caste with his name

First Names... We choose a first name because it describes the child. Blanchewhite Calvinbald = = Adamma= Child of beauty Ibo, Nigeria (AH-DAHM-MAH)

First Names... We choose a name which is taken from some event or circumstance at birth. Adebayo (he came in a joyful time) Yoruba Summer Atu (born on Saturday) Fante, Ghana

First Names.... Sometimes names are chosen based on some hope or aspiration on the part of the parents Hope Elizabeth (oath of God) Abimbola (born to be rich) Yoruba, Nigeria Duc (moral, ethical, virtuous)

First Names... Sometimes children are named after an object Flowers: Holly Jewels or gems: Amber Jade Rose Hoa (flower)

First Names... At times people are given first names because of the association or relation to the surname Lily White Happy Sadd Kenneth Kenney London Bridge

First Names... Some names are given from error or ignorance. Misspelled names Names given to immigrants Names that cannot be pronounced properly

First Names... Oddities Skeezix

First Names... Oddities

First Names... Names can originate as a result of chance. Close your eyes and point to a word in the Bible Use the name of the first person you meet / thing you saw Draw sticks or paper

First Names... We name children in order to honor another person. Parent Grandparent Friend Relative

First Names... We may choose names for children because we admire a famous person. Religious character Poet Movie Star

First Names... We sometimes choose a first name because it is “pretty” or seems harmonious with the last name or middle name. Peggy Sue Melody Ann Sandman

Surnames... Some surnames arise from local influence. Where does he/she live? Where is he/she from? Westfield

Surnames... Some family names arise from a person’s most prominent peculiarity. James Brown George Young

Surnames... Last names can originate from an occupational background - based on what he/she does or an office held. Miller Smith Bishop

Surnames... Some surnames are patronymical, referring to his/her father’s name. Johnson Anderson Tomsdaughter

Surnames... Some surnames are created as an invention, possibly with invented spellings. Sandmann

Talk to your parent / guardian to learn stories about your naming ceremony. Come to the library media center and we’ll find out what the name experts say about your name.

Norman, Teresa. A World of Baby Names. New York: Berkley Publishing Group, Smith, Elsdon C. The Story of Our Names. New York: Harper and Brothers Publishers, 1950.