MAKE YOUR NAME
Language is constantly evolving. So do names. From time immemorial people 'coin' names. There is a wide scope for innovation in creating new names in Indian languages. The common ways of doing so are (a) By joining two words and (b) By using Prefixes and Suffixes
There are endless varieties of joining words. Following are a few examples:
· Combining names of two different or same gods/goddesses.
- RAMKRISHNA, RAMALAKSHMI
· Combining names of god and goddess /consort.
- UMASHANKAR, LAKSHMINARAYAN, RADHESHYAM
· Combining two words having same meaning.
- SURYABHANU, JYOTISHKA, SHASHICHANDRA
· Combining two words by omitting connecting word like 'of' or 'similar'.
- SHASHIKALA, CHANDRAVADAN, HARINAKSHI, SHYAMSUNDAR
SUFFIXES may be used for different purposes: honorific, to provide a pleasant meaning, to indicate being a part of, as an indication of affection and belongingness etc. Some common suffixes used and their examples are:
For Men | For Women | |
---|---|---|
Honorific |
Lal, Kumar, Chand, Simh etc e.g. Ajit Kumar |
Rani, Kumari, Kaur Usharani |
Pleasant Meaning |
Prakash, Anand, Kant, Prasad etc e.g. Ved Prakash |
Lata, Prabha, Kanta etc e.g. Suvarnalata |
"Part" of the "Whole" Born of |
Ansh, Ang. Ank, Aksh, etc : e.g. Devansh J: e.g. Manoj |
Angi, Anki, Anshi, Akshi etc e.g. Devangee Ja: e.g. Padmaja |
Suggesting Supreme Being |
Indra, Ish, Indu etc |
Devi etc |
Suggesting Belongingness and Affection |
By use of ‘k’, ‘n’, ‘il’: e.g. Pushpik, Pushpan, Pushpal, Pushpit, Pushpil etc. |
By use of ‘a’, ‘I’, etc. e.g. Devika, Devila, Nehita, Pushpi etc |
The most common PREFIXES and examples of their usage are given below:
For Men | For Women | |
---|---|---|
Pra = Very much, Pre-eminently | Prajit, Pradeep etc | Prabha, Prajna etc. |
Su = Excellent, beautiful, Honourable, Exceedingly, Readily | Subhash, Sudesh | Sumati, Sumangla |
Abhi = Superiority, Intensity | Abhijit, Abhinav | Abhilasha, Abhishri |
Vi = Distinction, Intensity, Greatness, Change, Variety, Manifold, Disjoin, Difference | Vimal, Vibodh, Vijay | Vibha,Vipasha,Vishakha |
Adhi = Superior, Abundant, Excellent Too much | Adhij, Adhidev, Adhip | Adhija, Adhishri |
Note:
Some prefixes may have a different meaning when used with some words and must be used with care. e.g. ‘Vi’ also has negative connotation like impropriety, negation, opposition etc.
‘Adhi’ also has negative meaning such as redundant, inferior, secondary etc.