Buryat names: from the time of repression to the present

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:43

In fact, all Buryat names were borrowed from other languages: Tibetan and Sanskrit. But it happened quite a long time ago, more than three hundred years ago. That is why, in modern times, most Buryats do not even suspect that some of their names have a completely non-folk history. They are taken as their own. It should be noted that when using other languages in composing names, their sound will differ significantly, since the peculiarities of the language take place.

Names of older generations

People who were born before 1936 were called too complicated. That is, the first Buryat names were composed of several words. For example, "Garmazhal" means that a person is "protected by a star", or "Dashi-Dondog" - "creating happiness." In addition, the influence of religious worldviews is clearly visible in the names of the older generation. Given that the Tibetans and Buryats have the same religion, naming the child, first of all, attention was paid to how exactly he would be protected by higher powers. By the way,it was the same religion that caused the names of the Tibetans to take root in Buryatia. Attention should also be paid to grammatical traditions, because because of them there was no division into male and female. Both the boy and the girl could have the same name.

Repressive names

After 1936, when the time of repression came in history, Buryat names underwent significant changes. Now, when compiling them, the native language was used. Boys, as a rule, were called various adjectives. For example, "Zorigto", which means "brave". The girls were called so that feminine tender notes sounded in their name (“Sesegma” - “flower”). And also color characteristics are beginning to be used, the child can bear a name like "Ulaan Baatar" - "Red Hero". However, even at this time, Tibetan traditions still do not leave the culture of the Buryats.

Double and "colorful" Buryat names

Later, already in 1946, double names appear. But they also do not have a truly Buryat character, since Tibetan and Sanskrit languages are used in their compilation. For example, "Genin-Dorzho" - "diamond friend". But at this time, the most beautiful Buryat names appear. They can mean "beam", "joy", "hero" or, for example, "jewel". Thus, native names only become widespread by 1970.

Foreign fashion trends in naming children

Several decades ago, there was a fashion to call the baby in a foreign way. That's whyBuryat names before 2000 are diverse. They came from European and English languages. This trend caused the Buryats to forget about their own culture and join others, including Russian.

Restoration of native culture and traditions

For a long time this state of affairs could not remain normal, and soon people began to return to their own traditions. That is why Buryat modern names are as close as possible to the original culture. Today, the head of any family at the birth of a child turns to the monks so that they help with the name. They look at the stars and call the baby as the cosmic bodies tell them.