The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

INDIAN NAMING

AFTER BIRTH, THE PATERNAL GRANDMOTHER (WHO BECOMES THE GRANDMOTHER)
GIVES THE NAME TO THE NEWBORN CHILD. THE NAME COMES FROM THE NAME OF
THE FAMILY DIETY--THE FIRST INITIAL STANDS FOR THE FATHER'S NAME AND
SECOND INITIAL STANDS FOR THE FAMILY NAME. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE NAME
V.L. NARAYAN, V. STANDS FOR MR. VARADARAJAN, L. FOR LAXMI, AND N FOR
NARAYAN.