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Javanese name
View on WikipediaJavanese names (Javanese: ꦗꦼꦤꦼꦁꦗꦮ, jeneng Jawa; ꦗꦼꦤꦼꦁꦗꦮꦶ, jeneng Jawi) refers to the personal names used by individuals (primarily Javanese) originally from the Indonesian island of Java, and parts of the world (by the diaspora). Javanese names reflect the rich cultural, linguistic, and historical heritage of the Javanese people, the largest ethnic group in Southeast Asia, who traced their ultimate ancestral origin to the island of Java. These names are deeply rooted in a combination of indigenous Javanese cultural traditions, but to some extent, also draw from foreign religious influences or elements. The structure, meaning, and use of Javanese names have evolved over centuries, yet many traditional patterns still endure.
Structure
[edit]Traditionally, the Javanese people did not use surnames or family names. Instead, individuals were often known by a single given name, though multiple names (without a fixed surname) were not uncommon. In modern times, due to administrative and bureaucratic needs, many Javanese adopt two or more names, and some have adopted the use of surnames for specific lineage recognition.
Single name
[edit]Many traditional names consist of just one name, such as Sukarno (Indonesia's first president), Suharto (Indonesia's second president), or Kartini (Indonesia's female national hero). These are complete identifiers within Javanese society.
Multiple name
[edit]More complex naming structures may include two or more elements, such as Raden Mas Said or Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX. These elements may indicate nobility, titles, or personal attributes.
Social class
[edit]Royal and Aristocratic Naming (Pranata Jeneng)
[edit]The Javanese aristocracy (especially within the courts of Yogyakarta and Surakarta) uses elaborate names that may include:
- Titles: such as Raden, Mas, Gusti, Kanjeng
- Honorifics and given names: such as Raden Ajeng Kartini or Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono
These names may denote status, honor, and lineage, and are often bestowed in ceremonies.
Commoner Naming
[edit]Names among the commoners group are usually shorter and simpler, often drawn from Javanese vocabulary describing virtues, animals, nature, or aspirations.
Birth order or day
[edit]The Javanese have unique systems for naming based on birth order or day of birth:
- Birth order: Names like Eko (first), Dwi (second), Tri (third), Catur (fourth)
- Notes: This type of personal nomenclature system still retained in Balinese names
- Wetonan (Javanese calendar): Names may be given based on a person's weton or spiritual birthday using a combination of the five-day Pasaran cycle and the seven-day week.
Linguistic
[edit]Javanese names traditionally derived from Old Javanese, a native naming system that are still preserved within the community. However, personal names derived from another languages might also apparent, mainly due to religious adherence. The Sanskrit-based names usually rooted or drawn from the Javanese Hinduism religiousity, the Persian and Semitic (Arabic/Aramaic)-based names are commonly used by the Javanese Muslims, meanwhile European (mainly Dutch and Spanish/Portuguese)-based names are used by the Javanese Christians.
Native (Javanese and Old Javanese)
[edit]Some native Javanese names might include:
- Male names: Agus, Agung (lit. 'great'), Ageng (lit. 'great'), Anang, Awang, Bagas, Bagus (lit. 'good'), Bambang, Buyung, Dadang, Danang, Demang, Gading (lit. 'ivory'), Ganang, Gesang, Gilang, Gumelar, Gumilang, Gumintang, Guntur, Guruh, Jago (lit. 'champion'), Jajang, Kaisang, Kaesang, Kakang, Lanang (lit. 'male'), Legimin (lit. 'the sweet one'), Lantang (lit. 'resolute'), Lintang (lit. 'star'), Nanang, Paijo, Pamungkas (lit. 'final'), Pangarep (lit. 'hope'), Parman, Parmin, Pawang, Ragil (lit. 'the last'), Sugimin (lit. 'the rich one'), Sukir (lit. 'the carver'), Sunan, Tatang, Tenang, Untung (lit. 'fortunate'), Tugimin, Tumadang, Ujang, Yanto
- Female names: Ajeng, Anggrek (lit. 'orchid'), Anggun (lit. 'grace'), Ayu (lit. 'beautiful'), Bunga (lit. 'bloom'), Dayang, Hanum, Intan (lit. 'diamond'), Kembang (lit. 'flower'), Lestari, Lintang, Ningsih, Ning, Nusa (lit. 'island'), Rahajeng, Rahayu, Sartika, Tinem, Tukiyem, Wulan (lit. 'moon'), Yanti, Wuri (lit. 'the last')
Persian and Semitic-based names
[edit]- Male names: Abdi, Abdul, Abdoel, Adam, Ahmad, Ardi, Ardie, Arif, Arief, Arifin, Ariefin, Baim, Bakri, Bakrie, David, Daud, Faris, Farisi (lit. 'Persian'), Fikri (lit. 'thought'), Haris, Hasim, Iskandar, Jamil, Jamiel, Jauhar, Jihad, Kadir, Kandar, Lutfi, Mail, Musa, Muhammad, Muhamad, Mohammad, Mohamad, Mochamad, Naufal, Nur, Rachmat, Rahmat, Reza, Riski, Risky, Rizal, Rizqi, Rizky, Rochim, Rohim, Rochmat, Rohmat, Roziqin, Slamet, Sarah, Soleh, Somad, Sultan, Sjarief, Sjarif, Syarif, Syarifudin, Tahir, Tohir, Taufik, Taufiek, Topik, Udin, Usman, Wahyu, Yusuf, Yosep
- Female names: Abel, Almas, Jamilah, Jamielah, Jihan, Lela, Lutfiah, Siti, Syarifah, Maryam, Noer, Nur, Nurul, Wahyuni
Sanskrit-based names
[edit]- Male names: Adi, Adhi, Aji, Angga, Arga, Arya, Atma, Atmaja, Atmojo, Bagyo, Bakti, Bayu (lit. 'wind'), Bejo, Budi, Cahyo, Candra, Cakra, Cokro, Darma, Darmo, Dewa (lit. 'god'), Dewo (lit. 'god'), Eka, Eko, Guna, Guno, Handoko, Handoyo, Jaka, Jiwo, Joko, Jaya, Joyo, Karno, Kasturi, Putra, Putro, Sentosa, Santoso, Surya, Suryo, Susilo, Teja, Tejo, Tri, Purnomo, Kurnia, Kusuma, Kusumo, Raja (lit. 'king'), Utomo, Wan, Wawan, Widodo, Wiro, Yudho, Yono
- Female names: Agya, Aryani, Citra, Dara, Dewi (lit. 'goddess'), Dwi, Dyah, Eka, Gempita, Handayani, Indah, Ismaya, Juwita, Jelita, Kartika, Kesuma, Kirana, Kurnia, Kusuma, Mega, Melati (lit. 'jasmine'), Mutiara, Nirmala, Pitaloka, Putri, Puspa, Puspita, Ratna, Retno, Rani (lit. 'queen'), Raya, Dari, Sari, Sri, Sukma, Tri, Wati, Widya
Dutch-derived names
[edit]- Male names: Arie, Frengki, Hendrik, Herman (lit. 'German'), Johan, Jos, Julius, Kenzo, Lukas, Marsel, Marselino, Martin, Melik, Nikolas, Niko, Petrus, Ruben, Tomas, Yohan, Yos, Yulianto, Yulius
- Female names: Agatha, Cantik (lit. 'cute; adorable'), Eva, Irene, Julia, Kezia, Laura, Lia, Linda, Natasya, Renata, Saskia (lit. 'Saxon'), Tiara, Tintje, Vera, Vita, Yasmin, Yulia, Yuni
Spanish/Portuguese-derived names
[edit]- Male names: Aldo, Fernando, Mario, Nando
- Female names: Fernanda, Gisela, Gladis, Maria, Marta, Lolita, Nanda, Tania
Modern usage and evolution
[edit]While traditional naming is still used and respected, modern Javanese parents tend to choose names that blend Javanese, Arabic, or Western influences. Urbanization and national integration have encouraged the use of two or three names and sometimes the adoption of family surnames, particularly for bureaucratic purposes.
Symbolism and philosophy
[edit]Names in Javanese tradition are believed to carry spiritual and moral weight. A name is not merely an identifier but a hope, prayer, or expression of the parents' aspirations. It may reflect values such as bravery (Wani), wisdom (Wijaya), or peace (Santosa).
Javanese-Suriname People Names
[edit]Suriname Javanese people usually used Western (mostly Dutch) given names, and Javanese surnames, many of which are archaic in Java itself. The examples of Suriname Javanese surnames are Atmodikoro, Bandjar, Dasai, Hardjoprajitno, Irodikromo, Kromowidjojo, Moestadja, Pawironadi, Redjosentono, Somohardjo, etc.
Javanese Tondano (Jaton) Names
[edit]Other Javanese communities who have surnames are the Jatons (Jawa Tondano/Tondano Javanese), descendants of Prince Diponegoro's followers exiled to North Sulawesi. Some of their surnames are Arbi, Baderan, Djoyosuroto, Guret, Kiaidemak, Modjo, Ngurawan, Pulukadang, Suratinoyo, Wonopati, Zees, etc.
See also
[edit]- Indonesian names (nationwide personal naming system)
References
[edit]Javanese name
View on GrokipediaName Composition
Single Names
In Javanese culture, personal identity has traditionally centered on a single given name, without the use of fixed surnames or family identifiers, a practice that underscores the emphasis on individual essence rather than lineage.[6] This mononymic system allows for fluid identification within communities, where a person's name often suffices for recognition, supplemented by context such as place of origin or relational descriptors if ambiguity arises.[6] Such names typically carry meaningful connotations tied to personal traits, aspirations, or social roles, forming the core of one's social and cultural presence.[4] Historically, this single-name convention prevailed in pre-colonial Java, where individuals were known solely by their given name in village and court settings, reflecting a society organized around personal and communal harmony rather than hereditary lines.[6] During the colonial era under Dutch rule, the practice endured among commoners despite minor Western influences, as one name continued to adequately distinguish individuals in everyday interactions and records.[6] Only in the modern period, driven by bureaucratic requirements for official documentation and national administration post-independence, did some Javanese begin adopting additional names or fixed identifiers to meet legal standards.[4] Prominent examples illustrate this tradition's depth and persistence. Sukarno, Indonesia's first president, bore a single name derived from Sanskrit elements "su" (good) and "Karna" (a mythological hero), symbolizing auspicious qualities, without any familial suffix.[7][8] Similarly, R.A. Kartini, the renowned advocate for women's education, used Kartini as her preferred personal name, serving as the identifying marker in a society without family names.[9] This approach starkly contrasts with Western naming systems, which rely on rigid surnames for generational continuity and legal inheritance. In Javanese practice, identification remains dynamic and context-based, prioritizing relational and situational clarity over immutable family ties.[6] While single names dominate everyday use, aristocratic contexts occasionally incorporate multiple elements for elaboration, though the core mononymic structure persists.[6]Multiple Names and Titles
In Javanese naming conventions, single names often serve as the foundational element, which can be extended into multiple names through the addition of prefixes, suffixes, and titles to convey social status, hierarchy, or personal attributes in formal contexts. Prefixes such as "Raden" indicate nobility and are commonly paired with gender-specific terms like "Mas" for males, forming compounds like Raden Mas, which denotes a noble prince or lord of high standing within the priyayi class.[10][11] These extensions evolved from oral traditions in Javanese courts, where titles were used to affirm respect and lineage without establishing familial inheritance, and they continue to play a key role in denoting achievements or spiritual qualities, such as valor or enlightenment, through descriptive suffixes. For instance, the suffix in names like Wibowo derives from "wibawa," signifying authority or heroic power, often appended to a base name to highlight virtues.[12][13] Royal and aristocratic names exemplify this compounding for hierarchical purposes, where titles like "Sri Sultan" prefix elaborate descriptors to form full formal appellations. A prominent example is Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX, the former Sultan of Yogyakarta, whose name combines "Sri Sultan" (indicating divine sovereignty) with "Hamengkubuwono," broken into components meaning "protector of the world" or "one who holds the universe," reflecting leadership responsibilities and cosmic guardianship in Javanese cosmology.[14][15] Similarly, historical figures like Raden Mas Said, a 18th-century prince and rebel leader, used such titles to signify noble birth and martial prowess, with "Said" possibly alluding to personal attributes or Islamic influences integrated into Javanese nomenclature. These multiple names do not imply direct lineage but rather relational ties, such as allegiance to a royal house or recognition of deeds, allowing flexibility in social interactions.[16] In contemporary usage, multiple names and titles are essential in formal documentation, such as identity cards, birth certificates, and legal records, where they distinguish social roles and prevent ambiguity in bureaucratic processes. During ceremonies like weddings, coronations, or court rituals, these compounds are invoked to uphold etiquette and hierarchy, tracing back to pre-colonial oral customs where names encapsulated one's position in the cosmic and social order. This practice underscores Javanese emphasis on harmony and indirect expression, using titles to subtly denote relationships—like mentorship or vassalage—and accomplishments without overt boasting.[17][18] For example, a noble might be addressed as Raden Mas Antawirya in official proceedings to evoke wisdom or spiritual insight, reinforcing communal respect without fixed familial connotations.[16]Traditional Naming Practices
Aristocratic and Royal Naming (Pranata Jeneng)
Pranata Jeneng refers to the formalized etiquette governing the naming of Javanese nobility and royalty, serving as a structured system to denote social hierarchy, lineage, and status within the courts. This codified practice emerged during the Mataram Sultanate in the 17th century, particularly under rulers like Sultan Agung, who consolidated Islamic and indigenous Javanese traditions to reinforce courtly order and legitimacy.[19] The system persisted through the division of Mataram into the Surakarta and Yogyakarta sultanates following the 1755 Treaty of Giyanti, where Dutch colonial influence further shaped title inheritance by favoring specific lineages.[20] Title hierarchies in Pranata Jeneng are meticulously graded to reflect proximity to the throne and gender, with prefixes and suffixes indicating rank, birth order, and marital status. For instance, high royalty such as the ruler's sons by principal consorts bear titles like Gusti Raden Mas, which evolve to Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran upon maturity or appointment to office, emphasizing direct descent from the Susuhunan or Sultan.[19] Princesses, particularly daughters of the ruler by royal consorts, use Raden Ajeng (unmarried) or Gusti Kanjeng Ratu (post-marriage or elevated rank), with sub-ranks such as Sekar-Kedhaton for the most senior.[20] Inheritance rules mandate patrilineal transmission within recognized palace branches, often requiring royal decree or ritual confirmation to prevent disputes, and titles downgrade for descendants beyond the third generation (e.g., to plain Raden Mas for males). Usage is strictly contextual: full honorifics in formal court settings, abbreviated in daily palace life, to maintain decorum and clarity in address.[20][19] Illustrative examples highlight the system's symbolic depth. The mythical Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Kidul, Queen of the Southern Sea and spiritual consort to Mataram rulers, embodies divine royal authority through her title, which integrates "Gusti Kanjeng" for exalted status and "Ratu Kidul" to signify her oceanic realm, reinforcing the sultan's cosmic mandate. In modern contexts, Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of Yogyakarta bears the full regnal title Kanjeng Sultan Hamengkubuwono Senopati ngalaga Sayidin Panatagama Khalifatullah, blending Pranata Jeneng with Islamic elements to affirm continuity from Mataram lineage.[20] Cultural enforcement of Pranata Jeneng occurs through entrenched palace traditions, including naming rituals tied to birth, marriage, and ascension ceremonies, where abdi dalem (palace servants) and elders ensure adherence to avoid hierarchical ambiguity. These protocols, rooted in Mataram court etiquette, prioritize unique name combinations to distinguish individuals and mitigate potential rivalries over succession, contrasting with the more flexible naming among commoners.[21]Commoner Naming
Among non-elite Javanese, known as wong cilik, naming practices emphasize simplicity and accessibility, with personal names typically consisting of one or two short words derived from everyday Javanese vocabulary.[22] These names often draw from natural elements, moral virtues, or familial aspirations, reflecting the practical concerns of an agrarian society where individuals were tied to farming, community labor, and local folklore.[23] For instance, female names like Siti, meaning 'lady' in Arabic and commonly used in Javanese contexts to denote respect and femininity, while Wulan, denoting "moon," connects to natural cycles observed in rural life.[22] Male names such as Joko, from the Javanese term jaka meaning "young man" or "youth," and Budi, signifying "wisdom" or "benevolence," express hopes for maturity, intelligence, and ethical character.[24] Other examples include Sari for "essence" or floral beauty, representing purity from nature, and Wiyoto for "wise" or insightful, aspiring to moral guidance in daily interactions.[23] Historically, these naming conventions emerged in Java's pre-colonial and colonial agrarian contexts, where most commoners lived as peasants in village hamlets, relying on wet-rice cultivation and communal support systems.[22] Names were chosen to align with family expectations for prosperity, health, or social harmony, often incorporating motifs from local folklore like heroic tales or seasonal changes, without the hierarchical prefixes or suffixes reserved for nobility.[23] This tradition persisted through the 19th and early 20th centuries, as documented in ethnolinguistic studies, where names served as subtle markers of identity amid feudal structures, fostering a sense of belonging in extended kin networks.[25] The selection process typically involves community consensus, guided by elders or traditional fortune-tellers (dhukun petung), during rituals like the selamatan, a communal feast held shortly after birth to announce and bless the child's name.[26] In rural Java, this ceremony reinforces social ties, with participants offering input to ensure the name's auspiciousness based on the child's birth day (weton) and its numerical value (neptu), avoiding inauspicious combinations through collective discussion.[25] Unlike aristocratic systems with formal titles, commoner naming prioritizes egalitarian participation, embedding the name within the village's shared cultural fabric.[23]Birth Order Indicators
In traditional Javanese naming practices, birth order indicators are prefixes derived from Sanskrit numerals that denote a child's position among siblings, serving as a key element in personal identity formation.[1] These indicators, such as Eka or Eko for the first-born, Dwi for the second, Tri for the third, Catur for the fourth, and Panca for the fifth, reflect the historical influence of Hindu-Buddhist culture on Javanese society, where numbering systems from ancient Indian traditions were adapted to local customs. Higher orders may use Sapta for the seventh or Astha for the eighth, though the system typically emphasizes the first few siblings.[27] These prefixes are often combined with descriptive or aspirational suffixes to create full names that embody parental hopes. For instance, Eko Prasetyo combines the first-born indicator with Prasetyo, meaning "prosperity" or "success," suggesting expectations of leadership and achievement for the eldest child. Similarly, Dwi Hartono pairs the second-born marker with Hartono, derived from "hati" (heart) or connoting steadfastness, implying a supportive role within the family dynamic.[28] Other examples include Tri Wulandari (third-born with "moon flower," symbolizing beauty) or Catur Nugroho (fourth-born with "blessing").[29] This integration highlights how birth order not only identifies sequence but also infuses the name with symbolic depth. The cultural rationale behind these indicators lies in their role in reinforcing family hierarchy and kinship structures, a practice rooted in ancient Javanese social organization influenced by hierarchical kinship systems from pre-Islamic eras. By explicitly marking position, such names underscore expected familial roles—such as the first-born as heir or guide—fostering a sense of order, responsibility, and continuity within the household, often tied to broader Javanese values of harmony (rukun) and mutual support.[1] Regional variations exist, particularly in Central Java, where birth order prefixes more seamlessly integrate with personal attributes or nature-inspired elements to reflect local environmental and philosophical nuances. In areas like Solo (Surakarta), names like Eko Suryanto (first-born with "sun," evoking vitality) demonstrate this blending, drawing from the region's rich tradition of wayang (shadow puppet) narratives and agrarian symbolism for added cultural resonance.[30] These indicators may briefly overlap with weton-based naming to provide a more comprehensive identity tied to birth circumstances.Weton-Based Naming (Day of Birth)
In Javanese culture, the weton system forms a foundational element of traditional naming practices, integrating the day of birth with the cyclical Javanese calendar known as the pawukon. The weton specifically combines the weekday (dino), such as Senin (Monday) or Selasa (Tuesday), with one of the five pasaran days—Legi, Pahing, Pon, Wage, or Kliwon—which together create a unique identifier for an individual's birth moment. This system draws from the Javanese primbon, ancient texts that outline calendrical and astrological principles, and is calculated by assigning neptu, or numerical values, to both components: weekdays range from 3 (Selasa) to 8 (Kamis), while pasaran values span 4 (Wage) to 9 (Pahing). The total neptu sum, such as 14 for Sabtu Pon (Saturday Pon), provides insights into the person's character and destiny, guiding various life decisions including naming to align with cosmic harmony.[31] Names derived from weton often directly incorporate elements of the birth day or pasaran to reflect the auspicious timing of arrival, ensuring the child's identity resonates with their temporal essence. For instance, a child born on Senin (Monday) might receive the name Saniman or Senan, while one born on Legi pasaran could be named Legimin, symbolizing the market day's vitality. In more intricate applications, the total neptu is mapped to the 20 aksara hanacaraka (Javanese script letters), such as ha, na, ca, ra, ka, influencing the initial syllable or full name for phonetic and spiritual balance; a neptu of 14, corresponding to the letter "ya," might yield names like Yati or Yanuar. These choices aim to imbue the name with protective or fortuitous qualities tied to the weton's perceived strengths, avoiding discord with inauspicious alignments. The process of weton-based naming typically involves rituals during the akekan or naming ceremony, held on the third or seventh day after birth, where families consult a dukun (traditional spiritual advisor) or village elder to interpret the weton and propose suitable names. The dukun performs calculations using primbon references, sometimes incorporating offerings like tumpeng (cone-shaped rice) or siraman (ritual bathing) to invoke blessings and neutralize any potentially weak neptu influences. This consultation ensures the name not only honors the birth weton but also supports the child's future prosperity, reflecting Javanese beliefs in the interconnectedness of time, fate, and personal identity.[32]| Component | Examples | Neptu Value |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays (Dino) | Minggu (Sunday), Senin (Monday), Selasa (Tuesday), Rabu (Wednesday), Kamis (Thursday), Jumat (Friday), Sabtu (Saturday) | 5, 4, 3, 7, 8, 6, 7 |
| Pasaran Days | Pahing, Pon, Wage, Kliwon, Legi | 9, 7, 4, 8, 5 |
