|
Are changes in society reflected in baby names? Time-honored Indian customs in choosing names are often set aside today in favor of individual choice. Names are chosen because they’re ‘fashionable’, or simply because they ‘sound nice’. But how much do we really know about traditional names and their meanings? Many names have been around for so long, that they’ve lost some of their multiple meanings. Asha of course, is ‘hope’. But did you also know that it means ‘space’ and ‘a quarter of heaven’? Kamakshi, another name for the goddess Durga, also means ‘voluptuous-eyed’, while Pushpa is not just ‘flower’ but also the vehicle of Kubera, god of wealth. Puja is worship as well as honor and adoration. The ancients believed that our names define us, that our temperament, character, and tastes derive from the name bestowed upon us. A Kalavati would be as beautiful as moonlight and well versed in the arts. A Mukund is ‘one who liberates’, or ‘a precious stone’. Lalita is lovely and gentle – but beware, she’s also wanton, voluptuous and sporting! Everyone’s familiar with ‘Ashoka’ – it’s also one of the arrows of Kama, Hindu god of love. Moral: Never take an ‘old-fashioned’ name for granted! Many parents choose short, ‘modern’ names – Tina, Lina, Nikki, for instance – little caring that these are not Indian and also devoid of meaning. Others have a penchant for rare names: Aanavi (humane, kind), Khyati (knowledge, glory, hymn of praise), Maitreya (friendly, benevolent, the future Buddha), Pradyumna (the mighty one, son of Krishna and Rukmini). Some names are so popular they’re virtually pan-Indian. Rahul and Arjun, for instance. Did their parents know that Rahul was a son of the Buddha? Or that Arjun, apart from being the name of the Pandava prince, also means ‘peacock’, ‘illuminating’, and ‘pure’? An exception to our general lack of awareness would probably be ‘Aishwarya’! Muslims believe that a child’s name is his first gift in life. Do you feel it’s that important? Is a long but meaningful name an anachronism, a burden on a child? Should Indians nurture their heritage of traditional names for future generations? What do you think?
|
.gif)
