Burmese names

The Burmese language and culture has no family name. A generation, names like inheritance in western culture does not exist. Also unusual is the assumption of a common name after the wedding. The name identifies the individual, not the people as a part of the family. Wants to change his name a Burmese, this is possible at any time without any problems.

Newborns receive names depending on the week on which they were born, or of astrological aspects. The widespread use of astrology or Weissagerei, which has its roots in the Hindu faith, is also reflected in the naming. Often the name contains a feature that parents want to inflict upon their child. Thus, the naming of offspring expressing the desire, the boy may live a long life brings his ( Maung Thet Shay ), or he 'll be a rich man ( Chan Maung Tha ).

As the name components are thereby substantially gender non-specific, it may be that a Burmese man carries the same name as a Burmese woman. For identification is then either the gender indicator ' male ' or ' female ' added, or you can use the courtesy formulas described in the next section.

Politeness formulas

Burmese names usually contain a politeness formula. It depends on the relationship of the speaker to the addressee. Thus, older men are addressed with the title U and older women with Daw [ dɔ ː ]. Thus, the speaker expresses his respect for his opponent. Younger men you talk to Ko, younger women with Ma. For children, the formulas Maung Ma for boys and for girls apply. These formulas use siblings to each other sometimes even in old age.

• Personal name from culture to culture
• Culture ( Myanmar)