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HelpAlaskan Names
I decided I'd throw together some different aspects of specifically Alaskan naming trends to educate and entertain those of you who are interested. I have credentials: I was born in a fishing village on Alaska's west coast, and I've lived in the state my whole life except breaks when my family lived overseas.
There are three main naming attributes that I see as specifically Alaskan. I'll write a paragraph on each attribute and list some examples after it.
Native Alaskan Names
First, there are Native Alaskan names. There are many different kinds of Alaska Natives, divided into two main categories: "Eskimo" (Inuit peoples) and "Indian" (Native American peoples who are distantly related to the Navajo). Within these categories there are subgroups, such as Yu'pik, Inupiat, Athabaskan, Tlingit, and more. Native names aren't used very commonly anymore except in some Yu'pik villages where Yu'pik is still the language used in schools and other official situations. More commonly, Native Alaskans will be given an English name for everyday use and a Native name for ceremonial use. There are also lots of Native Alaskans who don't have a Native name at all.
Examples
Male:
Saupeteese
Payuk
Kiviaq
Kaare
Patuk
Female:
Hinshlai'
Puyuk
Asaaluk
Dika
Takgrook
"Village" Names
There are three "cities" in Alaska: Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, and several "towns" which include Sitka, Ketchican, and Homer. Pretty much everything else is considered "the villages". Most villages have between 50 and 500 people (around 250 is probably the most common), and only about six of them have road access. The rest are accessible only by boat, plane, or dogsled. There are definitely white people in the villages, but not very many. The majority of village residents are Alaska Native, and the naming style there is rather different from the cities, although they're becoming more similar as contact with the outside world (through the internet and such) is more common. That said, there are some names that an Alaskan could definitely identify as being "from the village", and most Alaskans would stereotype the person that way. I'm not sure how easy it is for Outsiders to "hear" how "Village" these names are, but it's easy for someone who lives here.
Examples
Male:
Lonnie (not a nn)
Freddie (not a nn)
Reggie (not a nn)
Charlie (not a nn)
Melvin
Female:
Evette
Hilma
Beverly
Nolee
Rita
Alaskan Place Names
The two naming styles I mentioned above mostly have to do with Alaska Natives. This third trend is more common among white Alaskans who have really dedicated themselves to this place and want their children's names to embody their connection. It's not uncommon for these folks to give their children Alaskan place names, especially places they have a connection too. Less common is using Native words as names.
Examples
All of these names could be unisex, but if it's more commonly used for one gender I've noted it in the brackets.
Denali (Means "The Great One" in Athabaskan. The true name of Mount Denali, known to most Outsiders as Mt. McKinley)
Deniki ("moose" in Athabaskan)
Alaska (Obviously, the name of the state.)
Chena (More common for females. It's the name of a river.)
Tanana (Ditto to Chena)
Sheenjik/Sheenjek (More common for males. The name of a river.)
Kenai (More common for females. Probably means "flat, barren land". The name of a peninsula and a town.)
Kodiak (More common for males. It's the name of an island, a village, and a brown bear. I'm not sure about the meaning.)
Panik/Panika (Means "daughter" in Central Yu'pik. Obviously more common on females.)
Any comments or questions? Miranda (or someone else), do you think the folks over at the Facts Board would be interested too?
~ Cait
There are three main naming attributes that I see as specifically Alaskan. I'll write a paragraph on each attribute and list some examples after it.
Native Alaskan Names
First, there are Native Alaskan names. There are many different kinds of Alaska Natives, divided into two main categories: "Eskimo" (Inuit peoples) and "Indian" (Native American peoples who are distantly related to the Navajo). Within these categories there are subgroups, such as Yu'pik, Inupiat, Athabaskan, Tlingit, and more. Native names aren't used very commonly anymore except in some Yu'pik villages where Yu'pik is still the language used in schools and other official situations. More commonly, Native Alaskans will be given an English name for everyday use and a Native name for ceremonial use. There are also lots of Native Alaskans who don't have a Native name at all.
Examples
Male:
Saupeteese
Payuk
Kiviaq
Kaare
Patuk
Female:
Hinshlai'
Puyuk
Asaaluk
Dika
Takgrook
"Village" Names
There are three "cities" in Alaska: Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, and several "towns" which include Sitka, Ketchican, and Homer. Pretty much everything else is considered "the villages". Most villages have between 50 and 500 people (around 250 is probably the most common), and only about six of them have road access. The rest are accessible only by boat, plane, or dogsled. There are definitely white people in the villages, but not very many. The majority of village residents are Alaska Native, and the naming style there is rather different from the cities, although they're becoming more similar as contact with the outside world (through the internet and such) is more common. That said, there are some names that an Alaskan could definitely identify as being "from the village", and most Alaskans would stereotype the person that way. I'm not sure how easy it is for Outsiders to "hear" how "Village" these names are, but it's easy for someone who lives here.
Examples
Male:
Lonnie (not a nn)
Freddie (not a nn)
Reggie (not a nn)
Charlie (not a nn)
Melvin
Female:
Evette
Hilma
Beverly
Nolee
Rita
Alaskan Place Names
The two naming styles I mentioned above mostly have to do with Alaska Natives. This third trend is more common among white Alaskans who have really dedicated themselves to this place and want their children's names to embody their connection. It's not uncommon for these folks to give their children Alaskan place names, especially places they have a connection too. Less common is using Native words as names.
Examples
All of these names could be unisex, but if it's more commonly used for one gender I've noted it in the brackets.
Denali (Means "The Great One" in Athabaskan. The true name of Mount Denali, known to most Outsiders as Mt. McKinley)
Deniki ("moose" in Athabaskan)
Alaska (Obviously, the name of the state.)
Chena (More common for females. It's the name of a river.)
Tanana (Ditto to Chena)
Sheenjik/Sheenjek (More common for males. The name of a river.)
Kenai (More common for females. Probably means "flat, barren land". The name of a peninsula and a town.)
Kodiak (More common for males. It's the name of an island, a village, and a brown bear. I'm not sure about the meaning.)
Panik/Panika (Means "daughter" in Central Yu'pik. Obviously more common on females.)
Any comments or questions? Miranda (or someone else), do you think the folks over at the Facts Board would be interested too?
~ Cait
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
That's cool. Was your family in the military or somehting. I know there is an AF base in Alaska. And since you said overseas. Well I just wondering.
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No, my family was not in the military. There are several Air Force and Army bases in Alaska (near Fairbanks we have Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base), but the reason my family travelled was because my father was on sabbatical from his position as a professor at the University of Alaska.
~ Cait
~ Cait
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I miss AK!
Please go to Thai house for me! I'm sure there are several other places I could request, but their egg rolls...that sauce!!!
Please go to Thai house for me! I'm sure there are several other places I could request, but their egg rolls...that sauce!!!
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More OT
Oh yay! It's wonderful to have another Fairbanksan on the boards! How cool.
I wanted to go to the Thai House today, but it's closed because the owners were in Phuket when the tsunami hit. They're okay, apparently, but I think they're still there with family.
I went to Lemongrass instead :-)
~ Cait
Oh yay! It's wonderful to have another Fairbanksan on the boards! How cool.
I wanted to go to the Thai House today, but it's closed because the owners were in Phuket when the tsunami hit. They're okay, apparently, but I think they're still there with family.
I went to Lemongrass instead :-)
~ Cait
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Oh! I am glad they are OK. Well, right now I live in Phoenix. It is NOT for me! I know I will live here for about 2 years longer. My husband is in the Air Force, and we are some of the few who feel Alaska is the perfect place for us. I don't know if we will retire in Fairbanks or in another town. I wanted to move to Seward and open a B&B, but since the tsunami hit I have been a bit less excited about that idea.
There is so much that I miss about Fairbanks. The little coffee shacks, the great Thai food (I live in the 5th largest city in the US and can't find any good Thai food!!), the snow, heck I even miss our weekend afternoons of driving into town to go to Fred's and Sam's. Oh, and I REALLY miss the summers. Phoenix weather is not my cup of tea.
As soon as you go to Thai House, tell me!
Jess
There is so much that I miss about Fairbanks. The little coffee shacks, the great Thai food (I live in the 5th largest city in the US and can't find any good Thai food!!), the snow, heck I even miss our weekend afternoons of driving into town to go to Fred's and Sam's. Oh, and I REALLY miss the summers. Phoenix weather is not my cup of tea.
As soon as you go to Thai House, tell me!
Jess
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Thanks for sharing!
I've always found regional naming differences interesting.
I've always found regional naming differences interesting.
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great post, & questions
.. very interesting! Not the sort of info that's easy to find all in one place, I don't think. Technically it "belongs" on the Facts Board, but I am glad you posted it here, because I think it might get better / more diverse exposure.
OT: So do Alaskans really refer to "Outsiders" as such? That's a juicy tidbit, if true .. ! and probably appropriate. I find it hard to imagine living somewhere where there was limited road access.
Some more questions:
What do Natives and villagers think of whites and city folks naming their kids Alaskan place names or a native name like Panika - are they approving, or not?
Do village non-Natives pronounce native names correctly as a matter of course, since they're familiar, or are they phonetic in English? Or is there a distinct accent you can't fake?
Do you think naming sets village whites and Natives apart at all, or is it a positive thing for everybody when native-sounding names identify someone as a Native? I am suspecting there's some kind of social pressure that's only partially successful, since Natives give kids non-native names as well...
When Natives and whites intermarry, are the kids more likely to get a non-native-sounding first name?
This reminds me -- a patient at the vet clinic where I worked was a Husky named Chena. I also met Malamutes and Huskies named Denali and Kodiak.
- chazda
.. very interesting! Not the sort of info that's easy to find all in one place, I don't think. Technically it "belongs" on the Facts Board, but I am glad you posted it here, because I think it might get better / more diverse exposure.
OT: So do Alaskans really refer to "Outsiders" as such? That's a juicy tidbit, if true .. ! and probably appropriate. I find it hard to imagine living somewhere where there was limited road access.
Some more questions:
What do Natives and villagers think of whites and city folks naming their kids Alaskan place names or a native name like Panika - are they approving, or not?
Do village non-Natives pronounce native names correctly as a matter of course, since they're familiar, or are they phonetic in English? Or is there a distinct accent you can't fake?
Do you think naming sets village whites and Natives apart at all, or is it a positive thing for everybody when native-sounding names identify someone as a Native? I am suspecting there's some kind of social pressure that's only partially successful, since Natives give kids non-native names as well...
When Natives and whites intermarry, are the kids more likely to get a non-native-sounding first name?
This reminds me -- a patient at the vet clinic where I worked was a Husky named Chena. I also met Malamutes and Huskies named Denali and Kodiak.
- chazda
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Answers
Yes, we do call everyone else Outsiders. You live Outside. With a capital "O" :-)
You know, I doubt there's any kind of consensus among Natives about non-Natives naming their kids Alaskan names. It probably depends a lot on the person, but I imagine that if the parents thought it out and used it for a reason instead of just liking the sound -- if the parents actually knew what the heck they were talking about -- then people would be fine with it.
Non-Natives who grew up in the villages would pronounce Native names (of the area where they live) correctly. If they move in from outside, there's probably an accent. There is definitely a Native accent (which of course differs depending on the tribe), which is pretty common among elders in the villages. It's less common with young people. It's a gorgeous accent...sort of crisp. Also, usually people who grew up speaking a Native language as their first language speak English a bit slower than you or I would. It's a cultural difference as well as a linguistic one.
I'm not sure I understand your fourth question. Are you asking if it's a bad thing when people can identify a Native person by their name? Actually, it's often the surname that sets it apart: most Native people have 1) Native surnames, 2) Male Biblical first-names-as-surnames (Joseph, Luke, Peter), or 3) Russian surnames (from when much of Alaska was controlled by the Russians.
When Natives and whites intermarry, kids more likely to get a non-Native first name. When Natives marry each other, they're still likely to give their kids a non-Native name these days. Native names are very uncommon nowadays.
~ Cait
Yes, we do call everyone else Outsiders. You live Outside. With a capital "O" :-)
You know, I doubt there's any kind of consensus among Natives about non-Natives naming their kids Alaskan names. It probably depends a lot on the person, but I imagine that if the parents thought it out and used it for a reason instead of just liking the sound -- if the parents actually knew what the heck they were talking about -- then people would be fine with it.
Non-Natives who grew up in the villages would pronounce Native names (of the area where they live) correctly. If they move in from outside, there's probably an accent. There is definitely a Native accent (which of course differs depending on the tribe), which is pretty common among elders in the villages. It's less common with young people. It's a gorgeous accent...sort of crisp. Also, usually people who grew up speaking a Native language as their first language speak English a bit slower than you or I would. It's a cultural difference as well as a linguistic one.
I'm not sure I understand your fourth question. Are you asking if it's a bad thing when people can identify a Native person by their name? Actually, it's often the surname that sets it apart: most Native people have 1) Native surnames, 2) Male Biblical first-names-as-surnames (Joseph, Luke, Peter), or 3) Russian surnames (from when much of Alaska was controlled by the Russians.
When Natives and whites intermarry, kids more likely to get a non-Native first name. When Natives marry each other, they're still likely to give their kids a non-Native name these days. Native names are very uncommon nowadays.
~ Cait
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I am an Alaskan. Well, more technically I am a resident of Alaska, but unfortunately my hubby's job has moved us to the lower 48. We plan to live there after he retires.
Yes, Alaskans refer to the lower 48 as 'outside' and therefore its residents as 'outsiders'.
I am not entirely sure what the Natives think of people naming their children native names. I don't think it is too common, but it is very common in pets. I know a lot of animals named Alaska names.
Yes, Alaskans refer to the lower 48 as 'outside' and therefore its residents as 'outsiders'.
I am not entirely sure what the Natives think of people naming their children native names. I don't think it is too common, but it is very common in pets. I know a lot of animals named Alaska names.
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That was really interesting. It's always nice to learn new things, especially about names :-) Thanks for the post!
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Wow, that was very interesting. I love hearing about how
people in different parts of this country (U.S.) and the
world name and view names.
Would you say that you fall into any of these categories, or
that your naming style is different? If your naming style
is different, how would you say it is viewed by people who
stick to the more "Alaskan" names (from any of the three
categories)?
Just curious :)
people in different parts of this country (U.S.) and the
world name and view names.
Would you say that you fall into any of these categories, or
that your naming style is different? If your naming style
is different, how would you say it is viewed by people who
stick to the more "Alaskan" names (from any of the three
categories)?
Just curious :)
1
I like many of the names from the first and third categories. The "Village" names are stereotyped for someone from the boonies. It's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just something I wouldn't want my kids to live with, especially since they probably won't grow up in one of the smaller villages.
I won't use any of the Native Alaskan names unless I end up marrying an Alaskan Native, in which case there's a VERY good chance my kids would get Native middle names.
I'd definitely think about giving my kids a place/word name that had special significance to me, probably as a second middle name. I think first names are a place for self-expression by the parents, as well as a way to choose some sort of meaning for the name their child bears. Middle names are a place to honour a special person, and I'd use a second middle name to either include my maiden name or honour a place or something. That's just my personal style.
I'd think about using Chena, Denali, Deniki, and Panika, from the lists I gave. However, I'd probably choose a very local place name from the place I end up settling down, or a favourite camping place or something.
Also, just to clarify (I can't edit the original message because I hadn't logged in), MOST Alaskans don't use any of these three styles. The most popular names in Alaska in 2003 were:
Female:
Hannah
Emma
Emily
Madison
Alexis
Male:
Jacob
Joseph
Joshua
James
Ethan
My current favourite combos are:
Female:
Eleanor Claire (Nell)
Josephine Anna (Jo)
Nancy Jane
Male:
James Emig (Jamie, Jem)
Collin Asher
Elliott Blythe
So, as you can see, I fit into my own personal style :-)
~ Cait
I won't use any of the Native Alaskan names unless I end up marrying an Alaskan Native, in which case there's a VERY good chance my kids would get Native middle names.
I'd definitely think about giving my kids a place/word name that had special significance to me, probably as a second middle name. I think first names are a place for self-expression by the parents, as well as a way to choose some sort of meaning for the name their child bears. Middle names are a place to honour a special person, and I'd use a second middle name to either include my maiden name or honour a place or something. That's just my personal style.
I'd think about using Chena, Denali, Deniki, and Panika, from the lists I gave. However, I'd probably choose a very local place name from the place I end up settling down, or a favourite camping place or something.
Also, just to clarify (I can't edit the original message because I hadn't logged in), MOST Alaskans don't use any of these three styles. The most popular names in Alaska in 2003 were:
Female:
Hannah
Emma
Emily
Madison
Alexis
Male:
Jacob
Joseph
Joshua
James
Ethan
My current favourite combos are:
Female:
Eleanor Claire (Nell)
Josephine Anna (Jo)
Nancy Jane
Male:
James Emig (Jamie, Jem)
Collin Asher
Elliott Blythe
So, as you can see, I fit into my own personal style :-)
~ Cait
This message was edited 1/11/2005, 10:19 PM
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