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

[rajam]

My birthstar is also aswathi! 

> On Apr 18, 2025, at 7:16 AM, Marco Franceschini <marco.franceschini3 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 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 <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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