[INDOLOGY] Inquiry on Name-Bestowal Practices in South Asia

[Kenneth Johnson]

The tradition of naming a child for the nakshatra of birth goes far beyond Kerala. However, I am not clear as to how this is derived from the example given here -- there is no nakshatra by the name of Aswathi, though Asvini and Aslesa come close.

> On 04/17/2025 11:08 PM CDT rajam via INDOLOGY <indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>  
>  
> There is a tradition in Kerala, South India — that is, to name a child based on the star (nakṣatra). 
> Current living example is Aswathi Thirunal Prince Rama Varma (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aswathi_Thirunal_Rama_Varma). 
> 
> 
> > On Apr 17, 2025, at 1:49 AM, Rolf Heinrich Koch via INDOLOGY <indology at list.indology.info mailto:indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
> > 
> > Dear Yang Qu.
> > 
> > As far as I know from India and western Samnyasins, at least the birthday or the horoscope is used on the side of the namesake. 
> > 
> > The nakṣatra provides the first (mūla) letter for the name.
> > 
> > Best
> > 
> > Heiner
> > 
> > Am 17.04.2025 um 01:18 schrieb Yang Qu via INDOLOGY:
> > 
> > > 
> > > Dear esteemed colleagues,
> > > 
> > > I hope this message finds you well. I’m currently seeking sources—scholarly or otherwise—that examine the practice and significance of name-bestowal in South Asian contexts. In particular, I’m interested in moments when ascetics, spiritual teachers, or even literati confer a new name—often Sanskritized or Indianized—on a disciple as part of a formal initiation process.
> > > 
> > > I’m especially curious about cases where Indian spiritual teachers give new names to foreign disciples, thereby ritually establishing a spiritual bond, such as the relationship of a “heart-son” or similar affiliation.
> > > 
> > > I would be deeply grateful for any guidance, references, or suggestions you may have.
> > > 
> > > Warmest thanks in advance,
> > > Yang Qu
> > > 
> > > 
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> > 
> > --
> > Dr. R. H. Koch - Germany/Sri Lanka
> > http://www.rolfheinrichkoch.wordpress.com/
> > 
> > 
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