Mizo names

A sample name in Mizo and its structure. Here, the Mizo given name would act as a middle name, and would be written as Issac L. Sailo.

Mizo names are composed of a given name and occasionally a surname that represents one's clan.

Given names

Mizo names are unisex,[1] with gender distinctions made through specific suffixes:

Suffix "a": Denotes a male.[2]
Suffix "i": Denotes a female.[3]

For example, "Liana" indicates a male, while "Liani" indicates a female.

Old naming conventions

Chiefs

In pre-Christian Mizo society, regional chiefs (lal), who were equivalent to kings, played a central role in governance and cultural identity. Chiefs and their immediate clans often had names that reflected their sovereignty and social status. For instance, names like Lalchhuaklala, Lalburha, and Suakpuilala were commonly associated with the ruling elite. The prefix lal (meaning "chief" or "king") was included in their names to signify their authority and lineage.[4]

Bawi slaves

Names in Mizo society often carried deep cultural and social significance, and the institution of bawiship was no exception. Names like Bawihluni, Bawichhunga, and Bawiluti were coined to highlight the unchanging and often degrading position of being a slave.[5] For example:

Bawihluni: Denotes "being a slave all her life," symbolizing a lack of freedom.[6]

Social and cultural influences

In pre-Christian Mizo society, names often reflected a person's social standing or achievements. Chiefs, elders, and hunters could give their children names that signified their status. For instance, hunters who achieved fame and reputation often used names like Zakapa, Kapliana, and Kaphranga, with kap (meaning " to shoot") denoting their skill in hunting wild animals. These names carried a tone of pride and were a testament to the high regard for hunting in Mizo culture.[7]

Similarly, warriors and men of valor (pasalṭha) who defended villages during inter-clan conflicts or against wild animals were highly esteemed. Names like Raltawna (meaning "combating the enemy") and Ralkapthanga (meaning "one who is notable for shooting or killing rivals") commemorated their bravery.[8]

Historical context

The Mizo naming tradition also reflects historical events, such as the participation of Mizo men in the Second World War. Names like Germanthanga, Japanchhawna, and Ferenthanga were coined to honor those who fought against Nazi Germany, Japan, and France. These names serve as a historical record of the Mizo community's involvement in global events.[9]

Post-Christian naming conventions

Beginning with the establishment of British rule in 1889, and the arrival of missionaries J.H. Lorrain and F.W. Savidge on January 11, 1894, brought significant changes. One striking change brought about by Christianity was in the naming conventions among the Mizos. The title Lal, previously reserved for chiefs to signify their authority and sovereignty, came to represent the "Almighty God" in Christian theology, democratizing its usage across society. For instance, names like Lalrinchhani means "having faith in God."[10]

In addition to Mizo names with religious references, Biblical names such as John, Isaac, Esther, Ruth, and Jacob have become common, replacing the traditional first name with the Biblical names and moving the Mizo given names as the middle name or surname. Some names have integrated the Biblical names into the Mizo given name, such as Lalkrawsthanga.[11]

Clan names

Mizo names typically follow two main conventions, reflecting cultural and tribal identity. The first method involves using an initial to denote the person's tribe, clan, or sub-clan, such as in the name H. Malsawma, where "H" represents the clan, where it could be Hnamte, Hmar, Hauhnar, Hauchhum, etc. The second method uses the clan name as a surname, such as Malsawma Hnamte, Malsawma Hmar, or Malsawma Hauhnar. It is important to note that Mizos do not traditionally use surnames in the conventional sense.[12]

Nicknames

Mizos often shorten names, whether they have two or three syllables. For example, "Malsawma" may be abbreviated to "Mala" or "Sawma." However, the gender-affix must still be included when addressing someone. Full names are rarely used, as calling someone by their full name is considered rude, and parents usually reserve it for when they're angry with their child.[13]

Endearments are more frequently used, with terms like "Mama" or "Mami" for the eldest or only child, and others like "Bawihte," "Mate," or "Tete" (te meaning small or little) being added to names, as seen in "Sawmte" or "Sawmpui."[14]

Honorifics

In Mizo culture, titles like "Pu" and "Pi" are used to show respect and are typically given to older individuals or those of high stature, though they can also indicate someone who is married. "U" (pronounced like "oo" in "moo") is another respectful title used when addressing someone who is at least one year older, such as "U Sawmte" or "U Sawmpui." Additionally, "Ka u" (lit. 'my sibling') is used when introducing an elder sibling or cousin. For unmarried young people, "tlangval" is used for boys and "nula" for girls. For older unmarried individuals, "pa" is used for males and "nu" for females.[15]

References

1. Thangliana, David M. (15 June 2024). "Decoding Mizo Names". All personal names in the Mizo language are unisex.
2. Thangliana, David M. (15 June 2024). "Decoding Mizo Names". at the end of a Mizo name; an "a" denotes a male
3. Thangliana, David M. (15 June 2024). "Decoding Mizo Names". while an "i" denotes a female.
4. Lalrinchhani (2023). "Understanding Mizo Names: A Semiotic and Anthropological Approach" (PDF). p. 29. Being the sovereign head of the village the chief and his immediate clans could often be distinguished by their names.
5. Sanate, Crossthang (2012). "The Institution of Bawi (Slave): Retrospection on the History of the Abolition of Slavery among the Jmars in North-East India" (PDF). p. 3.
6. Lalrinchhani (2023). "Understanding Mizo Names: A Semiotic and Anthropological Approach" (PDF). p. 31. As such, the name Bawihluni signifies being a slave all her life.
7. Lalrinchhani (2023). "Understanding Mizo Names: A Semiotic and Anthropological Approach" (PDF). p. 30. Other Mizo names relatively significant in tracing the history and culture of the Mizos, among many other could be names with the word 'kap' like Kapkima, Kapliana, Kaphranga, Kapzawna, and the like. These names signified fame and reputation in the field of hunting. 'Kap' and 'kim' which could be literally translated as 'shoot' and 'everything' respectively, carried with it a proud tone that suggested that the father or the grandfather of the child was a skilled hunter who had hunted down different kinds of wild animals.
8. Lalrinchhani (2023). "Understanding Mizo Names: A Semiotic and Anthropological Approach" (PDF). p. 30. A literal translation of the word 'ral' in English is enemy, 'kap' is 'shoot' while 'zau' means wide. Taking the meaning of these words into context, the name Ralkapzauva symbolized the history of the father or the grandfather of the child who had probably encountered not just one enemy force but had fought far and wide outside Mizoram.
9. Lalrinchhani (2023). "Understanding Mizo Names: A Semiotic and Anthropological Approach" (PDF). p. 32. Distinctive names like Germanthanga, Japanchhawna, Ferenthanga were also coined after men who returned to Mizoram from the Second World War. These names simply suggested the presence of Mizo men in the war against Germany, Japan, and France during World War 2.
10. Lalrinchhani (2023). "Understanding Mizo Names: A Semiotic and Anthropological Approach" (PDF). p. 32.
11. Sangkhuma, Rev Z.T. (1995). Missionary te Hnuhma. Aizawl: Lengchhawn Press. p. 3.
12. Thangliana, David M. (15 June 2024). "Decoding Mizo Names". For example - H. Malsawma. "H" denotes the tribe, which can be Hnamte, Hmar, Hauhnar, etc. The second method of naming is by using one's tribe/clan name as a surname. In our example name of H. Malsawma, this becomes Malsawma Hnamte/Hmar/Hauhnar, etc. It should be remembered that Mizos do not have surnames as a rule.
13. Thangliana, David M. (15 June 2024). "Decoding Mizo Names". hen names are abbreviated, it must be remembered that the affix denoting the gender cannot be left out when calling out to them or speaking with them
14. Thangliana, David M. (15 June 2024). "Decoding Mizo Names". These endearments are also added to the names as can be seen in our example name - "Sawmte" or "Sawmpui" with "te" and "pui" being endearments.
15. Thangliana, David M. (15 June 2024). "Decoding Mizo Names". These are titles denoting respect, usually given to older people or people of great stature.