It is fascinating to know how deeply Hinduism is integrated into every aspect of our Indian lifestyle. It is there in our first/last names, the dances, the festivals, the arts, and even in the fashion (bindi). Maybe this is one of the reasons why Hinduism survived for thousands of years organically—interwoven into our lifestyle. Some of the most visible and front-facing features of Hinduism include the
– our first/last names we have,
– the Bindi/Tilak we wear.
The Bindi, anyway, I have made it my mission for life :). Today I want to talk particularly more about our first/last names.
Our Hindu names are mostly related to the Puranas and Itihas and richly reflect our culture. If we start understanding any Hindu name, we delve deeper and acquire immense knowledge of the nitty-gritty facts of Hinduism. For example, when understanding the meaning of the name ‘Arjun’/‘Arjuna’, we delve very deep into the whole Mahabaratha.
But a strange phenomenon is happening in Hindu-Americans. Just for their names to be easily pronounced, most Hindu Americans are allowing their names to be cut, twisted, and distorted in an odd/weird way. We are in a mad rush to shorten our names to one/two syllables, just to make it easily pronounceable.
We may have heard names like:
- Sid (Siddharth- shortening the name),
- Harry (Hari- twisting the name)
- Krish (Krishna- shortening the name)
- Hr-tesh (Hritesh- name distorted).
- Nikki (Nikitha- shortening the name)
A good example of this is one particular name in which I felt very dismayed after knowing the profound meaning behind it. That is the name of my good friend, Chai (Chaitrali).
Chai-tra-li.
What a beautiful three-syllable name. It means ‘the one born in the first month of the Hindu calendar’, and comes from the Sanskrit word, ‘Chaitra masa’. There are many auspicious days in this month, and it is said that the universe was created in this Chaitra masa. Not only that, but there are also many astronomical changes this month. Maybe my friend was named ‘Chaitrali’ to showcase the nice/auspicious month she was born in.
If she called herself ‘Chaitrali’, folks would have known the concept of Chaitra Masa and the significance behind it. The fact she has shortened her name to ‘Chai’ stops people from asking the right questions about her original name. Here, in this case, learning more about the Chaitra masa might give more insights about mother nature.
‘Chai’, or Chaitrali, has every right in the world to rename her existing name. Another aspect is just to fit in—she doesn’t have to change something that is as basic as her own name. If the world is having a hard time pronouncing a three-syllable name, then make them learn!
When Hindus change their name or allow them to be twisted, we might not get the real meanings out and give this world an opportunity to explore innate meanings. Our name reflects our culture and has a lot of hidden meanings. Our name unknowingly showcases our culture, our religion, and in turn, what all of nature is telling us.