Mongolian Names

[topazionheart.livejournal.com]

The first names (with meanings) of the students in one class my sister teaches at the National University of Mongolia. Keep in mind that Mongolians do not have middle names and last names are patronymics, so first names are more significant in their culture. Naming trends don't change a whole lot with time, most names are compound words, and other than names with the suffix maa, everything is unisex.

Feel free to ask pronounciation questions. Mongolian names are tricky and somewhat inconsistant in their romanization.

Girls:

Sarantuyaa - Moonlight
Altantsetseg - Golden flower
Oyuun - Intelligent
Bolorchimeg - Crystal Ornament
Narangerel - Sunlight
Saikhanmaa - Peaceful woman
Ulanshuvuun - Red bird
Tsussain - Good blood
Shonojargal - Night blessing
Khairzurkh - Loving heart
Khusekh - Wish
Morohdol - Hope

Boys:

Ayulan - Mountain
Tomorbataar - Iron hero
Sarangerel - Moonlight
Boro-od - Rain of stars; meteor shower
Soyolsetgel - Cultured spirit
Battai - Certainty
Bayarsaikhan - Joyous and peaceful
Ganbold - Steel
Cholonbold - Stone and steel
Khorkhoi - Insect; in Mongolian this denotes determination and is a compliment
Nergui - Nameless

Comments

[snoglobel.livejournal.com]

I think it's really interesting that someone is named "Nameless"

Also that there are two "Moonlight's" but the words are different.

Very neat, thanks for sharing.

[topazionheart.livejournal.com]

Nergui, along with a slew of other names with odd meanings, is given to a child who was sickly at birth. It's an old tradition.

Saran is moon; gerel is light and tuyaa can mean either glow or ray depending on context. So Sarangerel and Sarantuyaa are both valid, as are the Naran (sun) versions of those names. Mongolian is odd like that.

Glad you liked. Mongolian names aren't discussed much outside their country, so I thought it might be interesting for people. :)

[a-tergo-lupi.livejournal.com]

Is the name given because they expect the baby to die? And now the name just sticks due to tradition?

[vanish.livejournal.com]

I think it's really interesting that someone is named "Nameless"

My thoughts, exactly.

[topazionheart.livejournal.com]

To elaborate, as I'm sure this comes out of left field for some people: when a child is born who is very sickly at birth, in order to bring them good luck and health, you choose a name without a great deal of meaning. Terbish, Enbish, Nergui, Kenbish, Ogtbish, and Nekhiig all exist as names solely for this purpose.

But out of context, yeah, I'm sure it's really weird. The More You Know, I guess.

[snoglobel.livejournal.com]

I get the sentiment, but I don't like that for the rest of their lives they have a name explaining how they were sickly at birth. Seems like it might lead to some social stigmas.

[topazionheart.livejournal.com]

Considering Nergui is in the top 50 most common names in Mongolia, though, you probably wouldn't face much of a stigma. Some jerk might snicker at you, but when lots of people have a relative with it, they're unlikely to get away with much teasing or discrimination.

[a-tergo-lupi.livejournal.com]

Oh, I see. I should have read further :) So interesting.

[topazionheart.livejournal.com]

In the event a baby dies, typically they're given a name with a word for treasure or a precious stone in it. Or setgel (spirit). Sometimes both.

[depeche810.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting, I love learning about names from other countries. I think its interesting that in many countries, the meaning is the most important part of the name and not that it "sounds nice" which seems to be common in the US.

[topazionheart.livejournal.com]

Very true; the meaning is everything to Mongolians. My sister never stops astounding them with 'my name has no meaning, my parents made it up'. To them, that's unthinkable no matter how pretty the name is.

Glad you enjoyed this.

[snoglobel.livejournal.com]

What is your sister's name?

[topazionheart.livejournal.com]

Xandronie. It was the only time we let my mom name anyone. That kind of mistake, you only make once. (Then she gave us all nicknames that were equally out of nowhere, like Cember for me and Hanzie for our dog Lou. She's a free spirit.)

[spaceandclouds.livejournal.com]

Saikhanmaa is quite pretty looking! How is it pronounced?

Also, most of the meanings are so poetic, I like it.

[topazionheart.livejournal.com]

It's pronounced sigh-con-ma, roughly. The double a is supposed to indicate a longer ah sound, but in practice people usually pronounce one a or two the same nowadays.

Agreed; the meanings are very focused on, and it produces some wonderful results. My sister's boyfriend is Taivantsas - silent snowfall.

[spaceandclouds.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That's beautiful. And your sister's boyfriend might just have the best name-meaning ever ;).

[topazionheart.livejournal.com]

Saikhan, minus the maa, is also a boy's name, or the start of one. See above blathering about names being compound words in Mongolia. (I knew a Saikhanovoul and my sister's Mongolian language teacher was Saikhanenkh.)

I hope I'm not rambling too much about this stuff. XD

[spaceandclouds.livejournal.com]

Haha no you're not rambling, I love names/name facts! ;) Saikhan is nice too, but a little close too "Saigon" for my taste =).

[laminy.livejournal.com]

They have really gorgeous meanings. I don't think I'd use any of those names specifically, but what they mean is lovely.

[topazionheart.livejournal.com]

I was worried people might be put off by the unusual sounds in Mongolian language, but everyone seems to be happy with the meanings and very accepting. I'm glad people can appreciate names outside their culture.

[pinkysmith.livejournal.com]

thank you for sharing! how is Oyuun pronounced?

[topazionheart.livejournal.com]

Oyuun is tricky. The sound is sort of like 'oon', but shorter, if that makes sense. It's one of those names are tricky to write in the English alphabet.