Javanese name

Javanese people have various systems for naming. Some Javanese, especially those from older generations, have only one name and no surname. Others use their father's name as well as their own, in a similar manner to European patronymics. For example, Abdurrahman Wahid's name is derived from Wahid Hasyim, his father, an independence fighter and minister. In turn, Wahid Hasyim's name was derived from his father named Hasyim Asyari, a famous cleric and founder of the Nahdlatul Ulama organization. Another example is former president Megawati Sukarnoputri; the last part of the name is a patronymic, meaning "Sukarno's daughter".

Culturally, Javanese people use a patrilineal system that traces the hierarchic lineage of the father. This system is particularly used to determine descendants' rights to use royal titles before their names. However, it is not customary for Javanese to pass on a family name, except in Suriname, which has a large Javanese population. Surnames in Suriname Javanese are usually derived from the names of their ancestors who immigrated from Java between 1890-1939. Suriname Javanese people usually use 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. 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.

Some Javanese, especially those from older generations, have a single name, for example, Sukarno, Suharto, and Boediono. Some names are derived from native Javanese language, while some others are derived from Sanskrit. Names with the prefix Su-, which means good, are very popular. After the advent of Islam, many Javanese used Arabic names, especially those amongst clerics and the northern coast population, where Islamic influence is stronger. There are many Javanese-style Arabic names such as Marpuah (from Marfu'ah), Ngabdurohman (from Abdurrahman), Slamet (from Salamah), Sarip (from Sharif), Solichin (from Salihin), etc.

In the past, commoners usually had only one-word names, while nobles had names of two or more words but rarely used a surname. Due to the influence of other cultures, many started using names from other languages, mainly European. Catholic Javanese usually use Latin baptismal names followed by a traditional Javanese name, for example Albertus Soegijopranoto, the first Indonesian bishop. Albertus is his baptismal name, while Soegijopranoto is his traditional Javanese given name.

Nowadays, it is becoming trend for Javanese parents to give surnames for their children. The surnames are derived from paternal given names.

See also


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