Baby Naming Traditions

Question 1

Chinese (4)

Answer 1

• made up of 3 characters
• first character is the last name -> other 2 are your choice
• siblings usually share 2nd character of their name
• pick characters based on the day and time baby was born

Question 2

Islamic (4)

Answer 2

• often name children after figures of importance in Islam, such as prophets and messengers
• this would include people that are typically associated with Judaism and Christianity
• there’s no compulsory naming ceremony -> recommended to be named on the 7th day
• also have an aqeeqah -> celebration where friends and family thank god for the birth

Question 3

Italian (2)

Answer 3

• usually name their children after their grandparents

- child usually gets lots of middle names to pay homage to the family and continue the lineage

Question 4

Ashkenazi Jewish (4)

Answer 4

• usually name baby after a deceased relative or use the first letter of their name to honour them
• superstition says if baby is named after a living person they’ll both receive bad luck
• there might be a mix up and the angel of death might accidentally take the younger one
• receive an English and Hebrew name

Question 5

Sephardic Jew (5)

Answer 5

• it’s an honour to name your child after a living loved one
• boys are officially naked during the bris (ritual circumcision) held on the 8th day after birth
• special loved ones carry baby and parents usually honour grandpa with the task of carrying the baby during the ceremony
• girls are named during a ceremony in the synagogue
• father reads from the Torah and the baby and mom are blessed

Question 6

Kenyan (3)

Answer 6

• based on training of birth, reflecting day if the week, time of day, weather, and child’s position in the family
• oldest member of the family carries out naming ceremony (gender wise)
• person who names them has a say what happens it the child and teaches them morals and values

Question 7

Indian (7)

Answer 7

• very sacred I’m Hindu tradition
• namkaran sanskar -> held 10 days after birth because before that is an “impure” time for mom and baby
• mom and baby are bathed traditionally in preparation for the ceremony
• priest, relatives and close friends are invited to bless the child
• letter from Sanskrit alphabet associated with child’s lunar birth sign is chosen (lucky)
• father usually whispers the name 4x into the right ear of baby
• relatives put a few drops of honey or a pinch of sugar to the baby’s lips

Question 8

Japanese (4)

Answer 8

• on baby’s 7th day they have a celebratory feast -> baby may be clothed in white
• girls are given names reflecting virtues (good/obedient)
• boys names often reflect their position within the family
• Japanese names are usually written in kanji and each kanji character has its own meaning

Question 9

Guatemalan Mayan (3)

Answer 9

• when baby is born they’re taken to an elder who consults the 260 day Mayan calendar
• combines a cycle of 20 named days with another cycle of 13 numbers to produce 260 unique days
• elder also considers the energy of both the year and day