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

[Marco Franceschini]

Dear Kenneth,

aśvati / aśvatī is attested as the name of the first nakṣatra in manuscripts hailing from Tamil Nadu. The Tamil corresponding form acuvati is recorded with this meaning in the Tamil Lexicon. 

Best,

Marco
---



> Il giorno 18 apr 2025, alle ore 15:48, Kenneth Johnson via INDOLOGY <indology at list.indology.info> ha scritto:
> 
> 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 
>>> www.rolfheinrichkoch.wordpress.com <http://www.rolfheinrichkoch.wordpress.com/>
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>> 
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