Indian names and their meaning

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:48

Indian names are unique in their kind because they have no verbatim counterparts in any other language.

This allows them to preserve their originality and uniqueness, which, of course, captivates the townsfolk. Each of the names is filled with deep meaning and captivates with its unique beauty.

However, everything we know about Indian names remains just the tip of the iceberg. Let's try to clear things up a bit.

For example, how many people know that names that are used by one tribe may not be used at all by another? Or the fact that Indian names (male and female) are the same for some tribes?

In addition, each Indian of the tribe can have several names. One of them will be often used in everyday life, while the second will be known only to relatives and close people. This is the so-called spiritual or true name, which is determined by the shaman.

True Indian names are never given to strangers, as there are beliefs that such actions will bring bad luck and misfortune not only to a specific person,but also for his whole family.

For example, consider the names of the Ojibway tribe. These complex Indian names (female) consist of several: the first is given by parents at birth, the second is assigned at the Mide ceremony (a kind of baptism), and the third is given by fellow tribesmen and used as a nickname. The result of such traditions was the frequent repetition of names. Most often they contain the words "sky", "earth", "bird", "stone".

The following are the most common Indian names:

1. Formed from the word "cloud":

Binesiwanakwad - Cloud Bird

• Gichi-anaquad - Great Cloud;
• Makadevaquad - Dark Cloud;
• Abitawanaquad - Part of the Cloud;
• Vandanakwad - Sailing Cloud;
• Gagige-anaquad - Eternal Cloud;
• Wabanaquad - Clear Cloud;
• Mizhakvad - Eternal Cloud.

2. Names derived from "sky":

• Bezhigizhig - One day;
• Bidvevegizhig - Sounding Sky;
• Gagegizhig - Eternal Sky;
• Zhavanigijig - Sky of the South;
• Ginivegizhig - Eagle Sky;
• Wenjigijig - The Other Side of the Sky;
• Niganigijig - Sky ahead;
• Vabigijig - Light Sky;
• Ozhavashkogizhig - Dark Sky;
• Avanigijig - Misty Sky;
• Mozhagijig - Permanent Day.

3. Names with words at the root"earth", "rock":

• Waviekamig - Round Earth;
• Asinivakamig - Land of Stones;
• Nawajibig - Middle Stone/Rock.

4. Names derived from the words "sitting" and "standing":

• Gabegabo - Standing Forever;
• Naganigabo - Front Standing;
• Makwagabo - Standing Like a Bear;
• Mamashkavigabo - Standing Strong;
• Manidogabo - Standing Spirit;
• Bigigabo - Standing Here;
• Gwekigabo - Turning And Standing;
• Akabidab - Permanently Seated;
• Gagekamigab - Sitting on Earth;
• Nazhikewadab - Seated One.

5. Names derived from the word "bird":

• Wabishkobineshi - Pure Bird;
• Ozhavashkobinesi - Blue Bird;
• Makadebineshi - Dark Bird;
• Gavitabinashi - Near Bird;
• Nizhikebineshi - Lonely bird;
• Gichibineshi - Big Bird;
• Dibishkobineshi - Like Bird;
• Gagigebineshi - Eternal Bird.

6. Names that include the animal's name:

• Makva - Bear;
• Migizi - Eagle;
• Bizhiki - Bison;
• Vaghosh - Fox;
• Gekek - Hawk;
• Nigig - Otter;
• Bine - Grouse;
• Adicons - Little Caribou;
• Maingans - Little Wolf;
• Gagons - Little Porcupine;
• Vagoshans - Little Fox.