Child-naming traditions in Southeast Asia

Names given to children in Southeast Asia follow certain traditions unique to every country in the region, among them those based on the child’s birth order or the time of birth. In other cultures, parents choose a name based on qualities they aspire for the child.

Understanding Asian names can be a fascinating experience, especially for those not familiar with the naming traditions of different cultures.

Delving even deeper into the origins and meanings of these names opens up a treasure trove of history and heritage.

“Asia is amazing!” exclaims Daniel, an American expat now based in Bangkok. “Having been based in different parts of the region for many years, I have come to know the different names inherent to different Asian countries. These days, I can usually figure out a person’s nationality just by the sound of his or her name. That’s how distinct they are.”

Family first

In many Southeast Asian cultures, the family, as well as one’s lineage and ancestry, is given prime significance.

“Family names are passed down from generation to generation,” Sociology Professor Vita Robles tells Thai PBS World.

“Family names come before given names because the family name is considered more important than the given name. The tradition is patriarchal in nature and is often carried down from one generation to another. Generally, the family name is passed down from the father’s side of the family,” she further explained.

“Given names or first names also carry a significant weight in Southeast Asian culture and in Asia in general. The significance of given names in the region is governed by time-cherished traditions and cultures. Parents may choose a name based on its meaning or the qualities they hope the child will embody."

"In some cultures, child-naming traditions are based on the child’s birth order or on the time of birth. There are also other child-naming traditions in the region that are quite peculiar and, therefore, very interesting,” she adds.

What’s in a name?

In Thailand, first names are not randomly given to children. “We often consult Buddhist monks when naming our children. Every name should have a significant meaning,” said one local.

“The gender, date of birth, and time of birth are also deciding factors. The name may also be based on the parents’ aspirations for the child when the child grows up,” she explains.

Some Thais have long first names that are difficult to pronounce. “One of the reasons is that Thais do not want a generic name and so, in order to be unique, we add a few syllables.

This practice underlines the importance of nicknames in Thai culture. “Most of our given names are long and hard to pronounce, especially for foreigners. To make up for that, we adopt nicknames. But choosing nicknames also comes with traditions.

“Nicknames make our lives easier in terms of social interaction. It is a name randomly given by our parents and can be a shortened version of our first name or something completely different."

"It may be a word that describes physical appearance, or it may be the name of an animal, a flower, or a fruit. The rule of the thumb is that the nickname should be very short, preferably just a single syllable,” she says.

Changing conventions

“In the past, Thai names used to be short and simple,” says Neung, a Thai journalist.

“In ancient times, babies were commonly named according to their birth order. Then, the naming process changed, which involved describing the baby’s physical characteristics. Later on, it became common for babies to be given names of desirable items or admirable characteristics.”

Today, modern Thai nicknames are derived from a variety of origins. As modern Thais approach adulthood, it is not unusual for them to add or change their nicknames.

The trending names are not necessarily short as before and two-word nicknames are also increasingly popular.

“The choice of nicknames in today’s society has now become more of a personal preference. Some still use the traditional naming conventions, yet more and more Thais are now choosing nicknames based on what sounds good to them,” Neung adds.

Naming traditions have also changed in other parts of the region.

“In Vietnam, for instance, the traditional practice of using middle names to simply indicate the order of siblings has now changed to choosing names that indicate poetic or positive aspirations.

“In Cambodia, people used to have their paternal grandfather’s name as their surname. Today, however, it is now common for Cambodians to adopt the Western practice of using the father’s last name.

“In recent years in Indonesia, people are choosing names with Arabic origins over those with Javanese, Batac, or Malay origins in a trend towards greater Islamization.”

“In the Philippines, the practice of consulting Christian calendars and naming children after Roman Catholic saints is now slowly becoming a thing of the past,” Professor Robles notes.

“Naming traditions represent a rich tapestry of history and culture, deeply rooted in beliefs and traditions. Witnessing our naming traditions undergo changes over time offers fascinating insights into how globalization has had an impact on our identities, both as individuals and as nations,” she concludes.

(This story is part of a series about the vanishing cultural traditions in Southeast Asia.)