Mari names: overview, features and interesting facts

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:41

How does the Russian name Alexander sound in Mari? Why do Mari call their children this way? From what languages do the Mari borrow names for their babies? What is the best name to choose for a girl or a boy from the Mari language?

The Republic of Mari El is located in the Middle Volga region. The ancestors of the natives began to settle this land about 1500 years ago. Since the land of this people stretched on both sides of the river, the Mari were divided into two groups: mountain and meadow. They had much in common, but differences were found in language and traditions.

Mari beliefs

Several centuries ago, the authorities began to forcibly introduce serfdom, high taxes and forcibly converted the faith of the Mari to Christianity. The latter resisted for almost a third of a century. Part of the population left their homeland, moving to the Perm Territory, Tatarstan, Bashkortostan. The departed Mari began to be called eastern. Paganism is the faith with which this population lived from the very beginning. Although writing and Russian culture tried to displace the Mari language.

The Mari have no churches, they make all their prayers and sacrifices in the groves. The Mari believethat there are 40 gods, and the main one, who receives the most important prayers, is the Light Big God. Even the names in this people have ancient pagan roots, for example, Eshpay is a Mari name that means "friend".

Mari clothes

The costume of the Mari deserves attention. The fabric for it is made by women from woolen threads. They must be different colors. Needlewomen make embroidery on clothes using symbols of rebirth and renewal of life, fertility of the earth: plants, birds, ram's horns. Girls make jewelry from beads and coins, which are sewn onto the chest on the costume. When moving, he makes sounds, the Mari believe that in this way it scares away evil spirits, serves as a talisman for the hostess.

Choice of names

Mari people believe that what name you give to a child, such a person will grow up, therefore, they are very balanced and thorough in choosing his choice for their child. Someone wants the baby to have good he alth. Someone believes that if there is strength, then the rest will come by itself with time. They want to endow the girl with beauty or prudence.

Sons

How do they choose Mari names for boys? If there was a revered person in the family, or who achieved something important in his life, then, naming the child after him, the parents assumed that they were thereby conveying positive qualities to their baby. And bad qualities remain in the land with the dead.

The names of the Mari are borrowed from several languages, for example:

• Male name Azamat, meaning"powerful", taken from Bulgar roots.
• Chatterbox - that was the name of the Mari prince, borrowed from the Tatars. The name is close in meaning to the word ax.
• Ersai. This name has Hungarian roots, it means a wise, sensual person.
• Ilmari. A male name with roots in Finland. Skilled, prosperous. God of wind and air.

Daughters

Mari names for girls are borrowed from Tatars and Finns:

• Aino. It comes from the Finnish word unique. Young, beautiful.
• Atnalche (week).
• Toktamche (stop).
• Taxula (full).
• Shamagul (flower).
• Crawling (black).
• Kulanchas (wild horse).
• Asylviy (Princess).

Basic national Mari names

Such names include:

• Easy. Man's name. Means "small".
• Izerge. Man's name. In translation - "born on Thursday." And Iza kai (female equivalent) - "born on Thursday".
• Izudyr. Feminine name, meaning "little daughter".
• Osherge. Male name, translated - "white son". Oshalche (female counterpart) - "little white".
• Iuskudyr. Woman's name. The meaning is "daughter of the swan".
• Pa-Czech. Male name meaning "joker".
• Emysh. Woman's name. Means "fruits, berries".
• Yol-tash. Man's name. Translated "friend".
• Korak. Man's name. Means "crow".
• Umashne. Man's name. Meaning "God bless".

What else are boys called

Male Mari names are still available:

• Maris - "venerable, strong". A woman next to such a man is protected.
• Eshpay is a Mari name meaning "friendly, beloved, sweet". Always devoted to his friend. Great partner.
• Azim - "big brother". Always support, always there in difficult times. Protects from attacks by enemies.
• Tomai - "he althy". Since childhood, he prefers active games to chess. Always first in physical competitions. Likes to win and be a leader in everything. Strongly experiencing failures and misses. Take care of your he alth closely. High life expectancy.
• Steps - "farmer". He loves nature and its gifts very much. Prefers to live on the ground than in an apartment. Very merciful, caring.
• Akati. He makes learning easy. Amazes teachers with his abilities. Quick-witted. Subsequently, he can become an excellent teacher or achieve great success in business.
• Onar - head, leader. Strong-willed. Always at the source. Leads forward.
• Aksar. As a child, a robber often injures himself during active games. He grows up courageous and courageous. Will always protect his woman and be devoted to friends.
• Vozaniy. Solid, always stands his ground, principled. It's hard to argue with him, he always has his own opinion on any issue.

• Vazhpatyr. - "headfamily". Takes care of himself. Always ready to help. Strong. Bogatyr. Always collected. Reliable.
• Yudan - "born of the night". Noisy, rebel. Likes to be the center of attention. Leader.
• Talviy - "mighty". Rock. Nothing is afraid. Educated and smart. Before attacking, he will study the enemy well and will hit on "sore spots".
• Yanei - "cute". Everyone adore him as a child and give him their love. Growing up, Yaney shares his love himself, which seems to be enough for everyone without exception. Kind.
• Yandar will never deceive. Prefers bitter truth. A person with a pure soul strives for spiritual balance. Silent. A wonderful father.
• Estay - "jack of all trades". If he undertakes to do something, then he does everything impeccably. Approaches the solution of problems in a balanced way. It is difficult to convince him of something, as he studies everything thoroughly and will find many arguments in his favor.
• Ergay - "one who was born in the morning". Everything is planned a month in advance. Likes to do things more than talk about them. Reliable partner.
• Eldagi - "companion and comrade". Honest, strong, little vulnerable. Communicative. Likes company. Good family man, loves children.
• Yushka. The translation of the name is associated with the Mari sacred bird - the Swan. "Smart, trusting, kind, resourceful."
• Yamet - "beautiful". Growing up, a man likes to be in sight, to receive compliments. In childhood, he grows naive, however, growing up, he acquires wisdom.
• Pull - "father". Thoughtful, multi-tasking. Always ready to listen and give good advice. Faithful, devoted.
• Yumai - "God". So the Mari called the child if he was born on a holiday or if the parents gave their child to God.
• Aldiyar - "a friend who is always there." Always glad to meet you. Never forget kindness. An important person in the lives of others.
• Elembat - "master of the house and life". Not ready to compromise, a little tyrant, tough, rude. Will not tolerate disobedience.

Borrowed female Mari names

• Aigalche - sensual, modest, capable, desirable. Quiet, calm.
• Eldavi - radiant, gorgeous. Dreamer. Ready for any adventure. Sociable, cheerful.
• This one is cheerful. Never discouraged. Dislikes boredom.
• Toimalche is strong. It is difficult to find a suitable partner because of their excessive will. Weakness is seen as a vice. Independent. closed. She finds it hard to trust others.
• Elika - tender, sensual, feminine. Always support in difficult times. Good mother for children.
• Elesia is a sensual person. Far-sighted, wise. Her opinion is listened to. Often has great power.
• Marvina - Mari power.

• Evika - slender, beautiful. Captivates men. He chooses a profession for himself creative. He loves the stage, the audience and, of course, applause. Afraid of loneliness. Mentally closed to others, it is difficult to find a "key" to it. Emotional.
• Saskaviy - born,when berries and fruits ripen. Sociable, lively, resourceful, cheerful. Will survive any adversity.
• Yulaviy - modest, slightly squeezed. Maintains devotion. A true friend and partner for life. Will always be there, never judge.

Original names

There are original Mari names for girls.

Kechevi - bright, sweet, sunny, warm. Always smiling, knows how to create comfort around her

• Unaviy is a guest. Cheerful, open. There is always something to tell. He openly shares his experiences. Makes new friends quickly. Easy to lift. Active.
• Chabi is a cub. Always wants to be protected. Growing up late. In childhood, capricious. When she finds a person who truly loves her, she calms down and begins to feel happy.
• Okawi - dear, beautiful, shining. Always in sight, likes to please everyone.
• Aivika is a beautiful moon. Mysterious, capable, talented, fragile, tender.
• Chachaviy is beautiful. He loves everything expensive. Prefers quality things over fakes. Romantic.
• Livey - kind, gentle, affectionate, best, good. Reliable companion and partner in life.
• Elavi is a loving life. Active, cheerful, noisy, screaming, attracting attention. Always full of ideas and thoughts on how to implement them. Sometimes it goes astray, but not for long. Quickly returns to "service".
• Sarvi is a beauty. Always young. Attracts attention with its appearance. Blooming.
• Erwin - early. Such a girl's day is painted to the smallest detail. Knows what he wants from life. Doesn't like to doubt. She's used to getting her way. Gets very frustrated if things don't go according to plan. He can blame anyone for this, but does not admit his guilt.

Traditions and surnames

Mari names and their meanings are still important for representatives of this nation. The population of the republic is very sensitive to the choice of the name of the child, sincerely believing that it affects the fate of the baby.

Mari names and surnames can have the same root, since the latter are made up of names.

So, the female name, Sala, which means "noble", can turn into the surname Salin, Safin.

Seley is a male name. Stands for "younger brother", can be used in the surname Seleev.

Suyangul is a boy's name. Means "wedding", usually this is the name of a child who is born during a wedding, most often to some close relative. Surname may be Suyangulov.

Suerbay - literally means "bird". Last name may be Suerbaev.

Echu is a male name meaning "winner", and the surname is Echuev.

Interesting facts

Well-known Russian names are often subject to phonetic modification, for example, the Mari name Alexander will sound like Elyksan (Oleksan), Pelageya will be Palagi, Anton will become Onton, Andrey - Ondry, Arina - Oriina, Dmitry - Metri, Nikolay - Miklai, Ksenia - Oksina, Sergey - Sergush.

There is no concept of gender in the Mari language. Therefore, all male and female names differ only in meaning.

Alim is a male given name. The female name is Alima. They are translated as "knowing".

Also Sabir is a male name, Sabira is a female name. Meaning "patient".

We examined how the Russian name Alexander sounds in the Mari language. Why do Mari call their children this way? What languages do they borrow names for their babies from? What beautiful name is better to choose for a girl or a boy from the Mari language? After reading the article, you can answer your own questions.