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HelpRe: Native American names (U.S. only)
in reply to a message by Felie
Traditional names ARE still used, but not frequently due to an unfortunate loss of culture and language due to natives overpowering other native groups, encroachment, biracialism and multiracialism, and exploitation. Many native names are lost to time due to an entire native group being killed by other native groups (people tend to legitimately or purposefully forget this), by being killed or subjugated by European settlers, by having children with someone not of the tribe, and languages forbidden to be spoken often through institutionalization.
I know some natives who have a native name or surname, their native name only being used amongst their family and tribal members and their “modern” (the phrase being used by the natives I have met) name being used on legal paperwork and with people of other cultures.
Where I live, an old native tradition popular to the many native peoples in the area is to give a newborn the name of someone in the family or village that has recently died; a nice tradition that keeps their culture intact instead of using completely “modern” names for no reason. Because many people in this area haven’t had native names since their great grandparents died, new babies are instead named things like Bertha, Agnes, Lawrence, and Frederick. They may be given a native name by their family.
Real native names are far, far better being used than faux/fictional names which mock a native naming culture and as another poster said, is like “red face.” Speaking to the natives in the area, I’ve found that they have a very welcoming and laissez-faire attitude toward people of other cultures using native names but of course this will vary by tribes and people as everyone is unique. They would rather someone consult them and have a legitimate name instead of making up some story about their ancestry and finding some name that is not real (most people that claim native ancestry don’t have it).
“What are you going to call it?”
“I’m going to call him Tarzan.”
*disgusted and puzzled* “Okay, well...he’s your kid.”
I know some natives who have a native name or surname, their native name only being used amongst their family and tribal members and their “modern” (the phrase being used by the natives I have met) name being used on legal paperwork and with people of other cultures.
Where I live, an old native tradition popular to the many native peoples in the area is to give a newborn the name of someone in the family or village that has recently died; a nice tradition that keeps their culture intact instead of using completely “modern” names for no reason. Because many people in this area haven’t had native names since their great grandparents died, new babies are instead named things like Bertha, Agnes, Lawrence, and Frederick. They may be given a native name by their family.
Real native names are far, far better being used than faux/fictional names which mock a native naming culture and as another poster said, is like “red face.” Speaking to the natives in the area, I’ve found that they have a very welcoming and laissez-faire attitude toward people of other cultures using native names but of course this will vary by tribes and people as everyone is unique. They would rather someone consult them and have a legitimate name instead of making up some story about their ancestry and finding some name that is not real (most people that claim native ancestry don’t have it).
“What are you going to call it?”
“I’m going to call him Tarzan.”
*disgusted and puzzled* “Okay, well...he’s your kid.”
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