Indian name

Indian names are very different according to ethnic, linguistic, religious and social backgrounds of the wearer.

Transcription into Latin

In the transcription of the different characters of the languages ​​of India in the Latin alphabet arose over the centuries of British colonial rule unofficial habits, however, can differ from region to region itself.

Origin of the carrier

There is no bureaucratic restrictions on the choice of name, so that Indian parents when choosing a name far more scope than about German with their children. In fact, however, is critical of what religion or religious direction of the support comes from.

Hinduism

Hindus, who account for the vast majority of the population in India, generally have three names, the second is nowadays usually omitted. The first ( pre-) name of religious origin, is thus derived, for example, of a God from; the second has an unbound importance, while the third (family) name marks the caste. It also happens that a name can serve as both a pre-and a surname (see eg Heinz ).

Example:

Shankar Kumar Gupta was a member of the Vaishya; its origin would be at the merchants and farmers. His first name comes from the popular Lord Shiva.

Krishan Sharma would Brahmin, ie priests, and thus belonged to the traditional elite. " Krishan " is the derived name of the god Krishna.

A deviation of family names for men and women does not exist; it is common for a woman when she marries, takes the family name of the man.

Islam

Muslim names, both Indian as well come from the Arabic language, the latter especially in derivatives of Mohammed and Allah. As with the Hindus today there are usually two, rarely three parts of the name. Here is the first of the pre-, the second (third ) of the surname. Although the caste system has no meaning for Muslims, depends also often the name of the social position or occupation of the wearer (or his ancestors ) from.

Sikhism

In the monotheistic Sikhs a first name is not gender specific, but is marked by an additive, it means a male and female followers Sikh Singh Kaur. Again, usually makes the family the social background clearly.

Christianity

In Christian Indians to classic christian names like Peter mix with Hindu or Muslim, so there is also quite tripartite name here.