New Post
Search
Help
ArchivesAre these names actually used in India?
I fell in love with several Indian names. I would like to know whether they are actually used in India or just of Indian origin. You know, how when you go to some baby name sites they list heaps of names that are supposed to be of a certain origin? Well, I went to the list of German names and most of them aren't used in Germany at all nor have they ever been in use. They were just of German origin (I know because I live in Germany). So I was just wondering whether these names are actually used as first names and whether they are common or not. I'd also like to know for which generation they are common. If they are timeless or dated etc
Lakshmi
Laxmi (I would like to know whether this is pronounced like Lakshmi)
Asha
Rani
Lalita
Kali
Shanti
Maya
Ashok
Rohan
and some pronunciation questions:
Is Asha pr. ASH-a or AH-sha?
Are Laxmi and Lakshmi pr. the same?
Is Shanti SHAHN-tee or SHAN-tee?
Just want to make sure...
Thanks!!!
Lakshmi
Laxmi (I would like to know whether this is pronounced like Lakshmi)
Asha
Rani
Lalita
Kali
Shanti
Maya
Ashok
Rohan
and some pronunciation questions:
Is Asha pr. ASH-a or AH-sha?
Are Laxmi and Lakshmi pr. the same?
Is Shanti SHAHN-tee or SHAN-tee?
Just want to make sure...
Thanks!!!
1
Replies
I know Lakshmi, Rani, and Ashok are used. (all of the ones I've known/known of are in their late 20s to late 30s). Kali is the name of a goddess, but I'm not sure if anybody names their child after her.
1
Kali is quite common as a bengali male name, usually shortened from Kalicharana, Kaliprasanna, Kalikinkar, and a host of others. I have not heard it as a modern female name in India, though Kali is quite common for women outside India (though I do not know the etymology of non-Indian Kali).
1
The reason for Kali not being a popular name might be that it depicts a furious form of goddess Durga. Besides Kali means black (female)which sounds offensive as a name. These both qualities go against what one expects from a female. In India, fair-complexioned females are preferred over dark ones. However, in rural areas names like Kali can be found but sophisticated families would rather spare that name. The state where I reside, i.e., Rajasthan, a girl called Kali Bai sacrificed her life to save the life of her teacher and perhaps an award in her memory is being given to students.
Another thing which everybody here seemed to forget is that Kali with a different pronunciation also means flower bud in Hindi and perhaps Urdu as well which sounds beautiful as a name. It is said that there used to be a courtesan called Anarkali (Pomegranate bud) in Mughal Emperor Akbar's court whom his son Salim fell in love with. Names like Champakali ( Plumeria bud ) can also be heard amongst rustic names.
Another thing which everybody here seemed to forget is that Kali with a different pronunciation also means flower bud in Hindi and perhaps Urdu as well which sounds beautiful as a name. It is said that there used to be a courtesan called Anarkali (Pomegranate bud) in Mughal Emperor Akbar's court whom his son Salim fell in love with. Names like Champakali ( Plumeria bud ) can also be heard amongst rustic names.
This message was edited 9/24/2009, 10:14 PM
1
Re:Kali as "flower bud"
Could you please explain what the difference is in the pronunciation of the name of the goddess vs. the word for "flower bud"?
Could you please explain what the difference is in the pronunciation of the name of the goddess vs. the word for "flower bud"?
This message was edited 9/25/2009, 6:14 AM
1
Re:Kali as "flower bud"
I think the respectable visitor who responded to the OP first of all could explain it better. However, the difference of pronunciation lies in the vowel "a" in the spelling of both words. In the name of goddess Kali, "a" is pronounced as long vowel "aa," while in the name of flower bud, it is pronounced as short vowel "a" and the word sounds like "cully."
I think the respectable visitor who responded to the OP first of all could explain it better. However, the difference of pronunciation lies in the vowel "a" in the spelling of both words. In the name of goddess Kali, "a" is pronounced as long vowel "aa," while in the name of flower bud, it is pronounced as short vowel "a" and the word sounds like "cully."
1
Re:Kali as "flower bud"
The name of the goddess, the colour black, time, etc is the word with a long open back unrounded vowel, though length has disappeared in some modern Indian languages. The dice (losing dice), disaster, the epoch in which sin dominates, seed (from which dice is made), bud, etc. uses a short open-mid to close-mid vowel (the exact position depends on the language) which is central unrounded to back rounded depending on the language. In a large tract, it is mid central unrounded schwa.
In languages with a marked length, the name of the goddess has a long I, whereas the bud has a short i.
The etymology of this group of words, and their exact relation to each other is not very clear.
The name of the goddess, the colour black, time, etc is the word with a long open back unrounded vowel, though length has disappeared in some modern Indian languages. The dice (losing dice), disaster, the epoch in which sin dominates, seed (from which dice is made), bud, etc. uses a short open-mid to close-mid vowel (the exact position depends on the language) which is central unrounded to back rounded depending on the language. In a large tract, it is mid central unrounded schwa.
In languages with a marked length, the name of the goddess has a long I, whereas the bud has a short i.
The etymology of this group of words, and their exact relation to each other is not very clear.
1
Re:Kali as "flower bud"
Thanks! I tried to tell about the word Kali (bud) in Hindi.
Thanks! I tried to tell about the word Kali (bud) in Hindi.
This message was edited 10/12/2009, 8:02 PM
1
Thank you!
1
There are probably a few American women named Kali whose parents have taken the name from the Hindu goddess. However, in my experience the huge majority of American parents who have named daughters "Kali" are using this as an alternative spelling for Callie or Kaylee, and probably had no idea they were accidentally using the same spelling as that of the Hindu goddess of destruction.
I actually have a student named Kali in one of my classes right now, an American girl with no Indian ancestry who pronounces it "Callie".
I actually have a student named Kali in one of my classes right now, an American girl with no Indian ancestry who pronounces it "Callie".
This message was edited 9/24/2009, 8:01 AM
1
Easiest is to check Google for web pages ... but, yes, all these names are used somewhere or the other in India. In some subcultures, they may be somewhat dated.
Pronounciation in the various Indian languages are different, and, in most of them stress is not a marked feature. Some of them do not distinguish vowel length either. With that in mind, here is the Sanskrit pronounciations from which the north Indian forms descended. (key: a roughly as in English about, A as in car, i as in hit, I as in heat, o as in cold, l,k,m,n,h roughly as notmal in English, sh as in sugar; the Y as in yes. The t as in French tu; S is retroflex in Sanskr, but usually like sh today; the N is retroflex in some languages)
lakSmI (from lakS to mark/characterize/perceive probably related to lag to attach: originally mark or sign, later good omen or fortune; goddess of fortune and wealth; a name since antiquity).
AshA (from A- towards + shaMs to declare,praise,vow,wish,revile,hurt = to hope; hope)
lalitA (from lal/laD. to play etc., playful, voluptuous, etc.; a name since antiquity)
kAli (may be related to kal, to incite,etc.; black, night etc.; name of a goddess)
shAnti (from sham, to fatigue; means peace)
mAYA (from mA, to measure; art, supernatural power, illusion, attachment; Gautama Buddha's mother)
ashoka (from a- not + shoka (from shuc to shine, burn) burning, pain, sorrow; not causing or feeling sorrow; name since antiquity; name of an emperor in ancient India) The last -a is not pronounced in most pronounciations today.
rohaNa (from ruh, to climb; climbing, name of a mountain). The last -a is silent in most pronounciations.
rANI is from rAjn~I (the n~ is palatal like in some spanish words; from rAj, to rule; queen). The N in this one often becomes n.
Pronounciation in the various Indian languages are different, and, in most of them stress is not a marked feature. Some of them do not distinguish vowel length either. With that in mind, here is the Sanskrit pronounciations from which the north Indian forms descended. (key: a roughly as in English about, A as in car, i as in hit, I as in heat, o as in cold, l,k,m,n,h roughly as notmal in English, sh as in sugar; the Y as in yes. The t as in French tu; S is retroflex in Sanskr, but usually like sh today; the N is retroflex in some languages)
lakSmI (from lakS to mark/characterize/perceive probably related to lag to attach: originally mark or sign, later good omen or fortune; goddess of fortune and wealth; a name since antiquity).
AshA (from A- towards + shaMs to declare,praise,vow,wish,revile,hurt = to hope; hope)
lalitA (from lal/laD. to play etc., playful, voluptuous, etc.; a name since antiquity)
kAli (may be related to kal, to incite,etc.; black, night etc.; name of a goddess)
shAnti (from sham, to fatigue; means peace)
mAYA (from mA, to measure; art, supernatural power, illusion, attachment; Gautama Buddha's mother)
ashoka (from a- not + shoka (from shuc to shine, burn) burning, pain, sorrow; not causing or feeling sorrow; name since antiquity; name of an emperor in ancient India) The last -a is not pronounced in most pronounciations today.
rohaNa (from ruh, to climb; climbing, name of a mountain). The last -a is silent in most pronounciations.
rANI is from rAjn~I (the n~ is palatal like in some spanish words; from rAj, to rule; queen). The N in this one often becomes n.
1
Thank you so much :) Could you tell me a bit more about the popularity of each name?
For example is Rani a name for women in their 30s or is it also common for babies? How about the other names?
Just wondering if there is such a thing as a dated name in India or if those names are timeless and used in all generations.
And are they very common? Would a girl named Laxmi have another Laxmi in her class? Or is it unlikely?
So Lakshmi and Laxmi are both lakSmI?
For example is Rani a name for women in their 30s or is it also common for babies? How about the other names?
Just wondering if there is such a thing as a dated name in India or if those names are timeless and used in all generations.
And are they very common? Would a girl named Laxmi have another Laxmi in her class? Or is it unlikely?
So Lakshmi and Laxmi are both lakSmI?
1