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

[Asko Parpola]

I have written the following paper — sorry, I do not have a PDF of it.
Parpola, Asko, 1990. Astral proper names in India: An analysis of the oldest sources, with argumentation of an ultimately Harappan origin. The Adyar Library Bulletin 53: 1-53.

With best wishes, Asko

> On 19. Apr 2025, at 5.53, rajam via INDOLOGY <indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
> 
> My birthstar is also aswathi! 
> 
>> On Apr 18, 2025, at 7:16 AM, Marco Franceschini <marco.franceschini3 at gmail.com <mailto: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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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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