1

Naming practices of Nepal - A historical perspective.

Term paper in the subject of History of Nepal
B.A.LL.B 1st Year
Yellow Zone.

2/22/2020
1470 words
Pratik Poudel
Kathmandu School of Law
Purbanchal University
1
 1

Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................4
Methodology.........................................................................................................................................4
Analysis................................................................................................................................................5
Changes in name...............................................................................................................................5
Surname............................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion..........................................................................................................................................10
Bibliography:......................................................................................................................................12
 1

Introduction

A person’s name now not only represents name, it is expected to represent one’s surname
too.1 A brief observation leads us to notice that this naming practice is indeed changing in
Nepal. Both names and surnames are changing in form.2 This paper examines this change,
focused on surname through a historical perspective, also suggesting some reasons for this
change.

Methodology

This paper is based on published literatures. It also relies on personal experiences of the
author.

1
The concept of first name and last name or first name and surname under naming practice is different from
what is practiced in Nepal. In Nepali language, there is no word for first name, and rather the naming practice
includes name + surname, compared to first name + last name/surname in English speaking nations.
2
For different reasons, surnames like kami, damai are not used widely, rather bishwakarma and pariyar
preferred. Regarding name, longer names have been orthodox and modern naming involves attributing
dictionary word to one.
If Purna Kumari Gharti is an orthodox name, Bimal Gharti is a modern one.
 1

Analysis
Changes in name.
While names of people are different, they are for a same purpose- identification of the
person. Each society adopted a different way of identification in its evolution. While a village
in hilly region with sparse settlements used geography for identification3, societies with
dense settlements must have used a different techniques for identification in past. Different
common techniques might have transcended the boundary of societies like identifying with
birth characteristics4, order of birth in family5, physical characteristics6 etc. Naming was
based on vocabulary of people, and this vocabulary differed according to place and culture.7 8
This limit of vocabulary of a particular culture and place is rapidly being erased with new
avenues in development, technology and changes in lifestyles. The closed society of past is
now part of globalized system, more and more people are being multilingual and more and
more people can now read, write and infer from writings9. The rise of awareness could be
3
‘Dilaare syana’,’Gairaki’,’Gaira thoke maili’ are some among many. ‘Dilare syana’ got this name by the fact
that he resides in the end of the tole/village, called as ‘Dil’ in Nepali. ‘Gairaki’ got the name by the fact that she
resides in ‘Gairi swara’ meaning tilted land in deeper position than other lands. ’Gairathoke maili’ got this
name because she the second daughter of the family, was given to a family in Gairathok after marriage. For
further discussion, see n 24.
4
‘Gajalu Shahi’ from Raute community is example of this. She attains her name from the fact that her eyes
seemed as if they have ‘gajal’ on it in the time of her birth.
5
‘Sandaaju’, ‘kaaldai’ represent this. ‘Kaaldai’ means the person being called is ‘kailo’ child-4rth child of the
parents. ‘Sandaaju’, as its literal meaning means the youngest elder brother.
6
‘Laata/Laato’ is invariably used to call dumb person. It is quiet surprising that ‘aandho’, ‘langado’ are not
used to call blind, lame person among other, Might be because they can express their anger while the dumb
cannot when called by such names.
7
People speak different language in different cultures and even among people speaking same language, the
dialects are different.
8
Oxen in many places of sudurpaschim terai and hills are called ‘ballo’ and cow ‘goru’. This differs from wider
practice. See jha Manoj & Ojha Rajit. ‘Engineering, Aantim barsha ra Ranipokhari’.for some glimpses. This is
an example of how vocabulary differs according to place and how that impacts the naming practice. Accessible
on https://collectpdf.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/engineering-antimbarsa-ra-ranipokhar.pdf
9
This is also shown by this data:

Literacy trend in Nepal(above 6 years) by sex

Source: CBS, 1995, 2003,2011; through Basanta Dhakal, “Statistical trends in literacy rates in Nepal”, IOSR
journal of Mathematics, IOSR-JM) 11.11 (2018): PP 71-77
 1

clearly observed and need no fact to be cited. All these have impacted the naming practice
heavily.10 More and more people being able to read and increased mobility means they
encounter new words and new names in the process. This leads to introduction of a new
name in a community. With access to dictionaries in later period, names in a community are
getting lesser and lesser homogeneous and names from different linguistic domain are in
practice. During these swift changes, the naming practice also experienced changes.

Surname
Historiography concludes surname originated during medieval period in Nepal11. Much of the
history of surname can be found in ‘kimwadanti’12 and lack written evidence. As the society
turned from ‘Dolaji’13 practice to a patriarchal one, the norms and values attributed with
surname also changed. In beginning surnames used to be name of post, professions that one
pursued14. With increase in mobility of people and migration, surnames reflected
geographical regions15. Many such surnames today differ from their original form due to
‘Apabhramsha’16. Along with time, many surnames disappeared and many new originated
depending upon social and political contexts17. Surnames once used to identify the specific
group/person by the larger whole society. With time it changed into what the particular group
chooses to introduce itself to the larger whole society. In this continuous process, each and

10
Cross-lingual names i.e. naming using words not in the language of one’s mother tongue are observed. Of a
quick study done in state assembly member of state no. 1, 43 out of 49 members with mother tongue other than
Nepali had nepali names, while remaining 6 had names that are not in ‘Nepali Brihat Sabdakosh’ by pragya
pratisthan.’ This suggests of how-heavily cross-lingual names are in practice. ’Nepali Brihat Sabdakosh (7th
edition)’,Nepal Pragya Pratisthan, B.S. 2067.
11
Adhikari B.P. ‘Samajik ra janasankhya adhyaan kakshya 7’, Curriculum development center, B.S. 2071, p
102. The beginning of medieval period matches the beginning of Nepal samwat. Medieval period ended after
annexation of ‘Bhadgaaun’ to Gorkha. BS 936 to 1825.
12
‘Kimwadanti’ refers to folk stories found in various communities in Nepali societies.In lack of written
evidence, much of the Nepali history of ancient and medieval period depend upon them.
13
The social system practiced during medieval period in which bride groom moves to bride’s home
permanently post marriage. The bride groom acquired bride’s surname.
14
Adhikari (n 11), p 102.
15
Various surnames are linked by kimwadantis to be related with the place of origin of people. Dhakals are
believed of migrating from ‘dhapuk’ of present Achham district. B.P Koirala in his book ’Aafno katha’
mentions, Koiralas are people who migrated from Koirala phaat located in present Lamjung district. Koirala
B.P. Aafno Katha. Via Saurav, ’Asangati’, Book hill publication, 2017. The same can be observed with other
surname too.
16
Apabhrammsha is change in spelling and pronounciation of something in prolong period of exposure. Many
surnames lose their meaning due to apabhramsha. ‘Aryal’ is apabhramsha of ‘Arjel’.
17
Bhim bahadur Pade in ‘Tyas bakhatko Nepal’ mentions the assimilation of Gharti ethnicity with other
ethnicities and loss of surnames belonging to Gharti ethnicity like ‘Dware”, ‘Shiva bhakti’, after Chandra
Shumsher did ‘karia mochan’. Pande, S.B.B., 1982. ‘Tyas Bakhatko Nepal’.
 1

every person got their surnames to reach the present stage. This uniformity in use of
surnames must have been achieved post the documentation of citizens began18.

When looked at historical development/evolution of surname, we find rulers have been

changing/using surnames to their advantage. There was everlasting tendency in Nepali rulers
to relate oneself with Rajput in order to prove they are of 'higher blood'19. And ruling elites
changed their surnames to prove their dignity.20

During medieval period, Dolaji system was practiced. This fact breaks the regularity with
which we connect the present with past.

DOLAJI Generation Male Female Ancestors

1 Bhandari Poudel Poudel
SYSTEM
2 Dahal Poudel Poudel
3 Regmi Poudel Poudel
4 Ghimire Poudel Poudel
Post Dolaji 5 Bhandari Poudel Bhandari
6 Bhandari Dahal Bhandari
System
7 Bhandari Regmi Bhandari
8 Bhandari Ghimire Bhandari
Table 1: Ancestral lineage of a present day Bhandari.

18
Not all the surnames originated in same period. It must be understood from the fact that some ethnicity has
range of surnames practiced while other ethnicities have name of their ethnicity also as surname, and protest in
national dailies against government officials who did so. See interaction of Tasi shyangmo Gurungseni with
Dhruba Shimkhada, Himal khabarpatrika, Kathmandu, B.S. 1-15 Baisakh, 2067.
Tasi says ‘I am not Gurungseni, I am daughter of Bahragaun ethnicity. But, they stated Gurungseni while
making my Citizenship and tried to erase the identity of Bahragaun ethnicity. I feel very sad for this.’
In another instance she mentions, Bahragaun ethnicity has different costumes than Gurung ethnicity.
19
Ranas were Kunwars. Janga Bahadur changed the surname of his lineage to ranas and shumsher. The Shahas
changed their surname from 'kha/khand-Shahi-Saha-Shaha'(Devkota Yaadav, ‘Bahra magaraatma shahi katak’.
Koseli a weekly supplement of Kantipur daily magazine, Kathmandu, B.S. 28 Bhadra 2072.). Ari Dev changed
to Ari Malla. But people lower in social hierarchy maintaining their surname and not avoiding the
discrimination suggests, they were not allowed to do so. This indicates the rulers and those in power used their
surname to ascertain them higher in social hierarchy and dominate the group placed lower in social hierarchy.
Bista, D.B., 1991. Fatalism and development: Nepal's struggle for modernization. Orient Blackswan.
20
Devkota Yaadav, ‘Bahra magaraatma shahi katak’, Koseli a weekly supplement of Kantipur daily magazine,
Kathmandu, B.S. 28 Bhadra 2072.)
 1

During Dolaji, when a Bhandari son married with Poudel daughter, his ancestors became
Poudels. When a Poudel daughter married with Dahal son, her ancestors remained
Poudel, the Dahal son would acquire Poudel Surname and his ancestors became Poudels.

Post Dolaji, when a Bhandari son married Poudel daughter, the Poudel daughter had her
ancestors changed to Bhandaris.

When a Bhandari child (Generation 8, present Generation) thinks his ancestors are
Bhandaris. He is not correct. Looking at his lineage (Table1), we find, he has been connected
to Bhandari Lineage post Generation 5. Before that he belonged to Poudel lineage.

In villages identification of an individual people by the order of their birth in the family is
sometimes preferred more than their name. 21 In homogeneous societies22, the place of
residence also comes along with the birth order.23 This place of residence acts as a family
name. And is unique to a particular family, common to all members of the family.24Though
the name given by pundit is also used, surname of the person is very rarely used or more
precisely, never used. In heterogeneous societies25 generally ethnicity and caste is preferred
as a family name and naming is done in same way as in homogeneous societies.

Surnames have remained subject to change from history. Jaja Bhatta, from Punjab when
entered into Khas Kingdom, his ‘santatis’ inhabited 'Bajgaun', situated in present day
Achham. They later acquired the surname 'Bajgain'. Similarly, Rijals inhabiting 'paanga'
21
Order of birth means whether they are first child (Jetho/Jethi), second child (Mailo/Maili), or last child
(Kanchho/Kanchhi). If there are other children in between, they are given their respective titles (Saailo/Saaili,
Raailo/Raaili, Kaailo/Kaaili and such).
22
Societies where all people have a same surname.
23
Place of residence is exact place where the house is, usually termed as tole. If there are more than one house
of different family in a same place, than other characteristics of the place are used. The help of geography is
usually taken while naming. Some names are: Foksinge Kaaila, Foksinge Maaila, Dilare kaanchha. All three
names are of people inhabiting foksing tole, foksinge means inhabitant of foksing. The reason last person
doesn’t have foksinge in his name is, he is from a different family than the other two and as he lives in end ( Dil
) of foksing tole, his family is called Dilare meaning living in the end of a tole. This is further elaboration of
footnote 3.
24
This could be compared with surname. These family names are used before one's name i.e. order of birth.
‘Khole kaanchoo'. Khole represents the whole family of ‘khole kaanchoo'. Some might identify 'Khole
Kaanchoo' by 'Khole Dinesh'. Dinesh is the name of the individual given by pundit. It's very hard to find him
identified by his surname, Dinesh Poudel.
25
In heterogeneous societies, inhabitants have more than one surname. In most villages with heterogeneous
population, a surname/ ethnicity/caste dominates the population and other groups exist in very few number.
 1

situated in present Parbat district, when migrated to terai plains converted themselves to
'Pangali'. This also, supports surnames have been changing throughout the history.

But, the present day norms26 of surname assume that surnames are something that should
never change and are always constant. Even a slight variation in wording of surname must be
tried to be prevented and might result in some serious problems. This leads to a situation
where the surname loses meaning by being outdated. As mentioned already, surnames are
closely related with caste, ethnicity. And caste system is closely related with religion, more
observable in Hindu religion. Now if an adult Hindu thinks of converting to Islam, as he
cannot change his surname, he will be within the caste system of Hindu Religion and
technically he cannot convert. If he converts, the surname would prevent him attaining the
same status as original Islam.

Previously, surname became a need of time because of the ‘functions’27 it had. Now, due to
different factors such as development, cross-country influence and other, the ‘harmonious
state’28 differs from what it used to be. Man is not limited by traditional practices, norms and
taboos. And this opens a wide range of possibilities that a man can do in present. A Limbu
can convert to Hindu and vice versa. An Islam can convert Buddhism. The ‘Harijans’29 want
to take advantage of the mobility. The need to assimilate in modern mainstream30also leaves
people with no other options than to leave/break the ties with their culture. Surname practices
of past need to adapt to the new situations, otherwise, would always act as an obstacle as
seen in Hindu wanting to convert to Islam example.

26
Present day norms means what is in practice in present day. A main feature of this is continuity- father to son.
Son to grandson and in the same way to other offsprings of new generations.
27
‘Functions are those observed consequences which make for the adaptation or adjustment of a given system.’
Merton, R.K. and Merton, R.C., 1968. Social theory and social structure. Simon and Schuster. p.105.
28
Harmonious state means society existing in consensus with no signs of conflict.
29
The present day Dalits were previously called Harijans. Panthi Arjun, ‘Kami ka Guru’, Annapurna Fursad
weekly supplement of Annapurna post daily magazine, Kathmandu, B.S.18 Magh 2076.
30
Though, assimilation is not taken positively nowadays, assimilation is occurring continuously. Compulsory
modern western dress code even in governmental institutions and low acceptance of ethnic dress as formal
dresses in the country indicate this.
 1

But, if we observe the history, surnames never appear in the form they are now. The history
through various ways shows, surnames have been open to any change and had changed
throughout the history. But, over later period, restrictions have been set in regard to use of
surnames. This external influence has shown different reactions ranging from changing of
surnames by Dalits, erasing of identity of a whole tribe as said by Tasi syangmo Gurungseni,
pressurizing cultures to change their naming system developed in course of evolution.31 The
rich heritage of Nepali culture and lifestyle includes the naming practice too. These are
unique outcomes of our culture and lifestyle. But, over course of time these are being
destroyed without any concern for any one. The naming system/practice, provides windows
and can be a useful tool to understand, study the history, sociology, and evolution of Nepali
societies and also the evolution of state itself32. Documentation and further study of naming
practice is suggested.

Conclusion

Naming practices in Nepal are changing with time. They evolved along with need of time. But,
in later periods, the intervention of state machinery and imposition of rules and regulations
regarding it has prevented it from coping with the new requirements. As a result, different
reactions are seen and would be seen. Important though not given importance, surnames and
its associated norms must be studied from a historical perspective and documented as soon as
possible, before further change/ demolishment occurs.

31
A report with theme discrimination prepared by Laxmi Basnet in Himal Saptahik Khabarpatrika, 25 Falgun- 1
Chaitra, titled ‘Thar paudainan Terai ka chhori’. ‘Daughter’s from terai do not get surnames’ is an example.
The report has presented the years of practice as discrimination, which need to be evaded without focusing on
sociological function of the practice. To substantiate the claim, writer mentions of difficulty in functioning of
state machineries, particularly distribution of scholarships to target groups. Basnet Laxmi. ’Thar paudainan
Terai ka chhori’. Himal saptahik khabarpatrika, Kathmandu, 25 Falgun- 1 Chaitra 2076 B.S.
32
A quick search over google scholar shows surnames used for study of social mobility throughout history,
genetics, legal, social and economic institutions. See Jobling, M.A., 2001. In the name of the father: surnames
and genetics. TRENDS in Genetics, 17(6), pp.353-357, Choi, B.C., Hanley, J.G., Holowaty, E.J. and Dale, D.,
1993. Use of surnames to identify individuals of Chinese ancestry. American journal of epidemiology, 138(9),
pp.723-734, Goldin, C. and Shim, M., 2004. Making a name: Women's surnames at marriage and
beyond. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 18(2), pp.143-160 among others.
Bibliography:

Adhikari B.P. ‘Samajik ra janasankhya adhyaan kakshya 7’, 2071

Bista, D.B, ‘Fatalism and development: Nepal's struggle for modernization’, Orient

Blackswan, 1991

Jha, Manoj &Ojha, Rajit. ‘Engineering, Aantim barsha ra Ranipokhari’ available at

https://collectpdf.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/engineering-antimbarsa-ra-ranipokhar.pdf

Merton, R.K. and Merton, R.C, Social theory and social structure. Simon and Schuster,
1968. 

Pande, S.B.B., ‘Tyas Bakhatko Nepal’, Phoenix Books, 2019

Saurav, ‘Asangati’, Book hill publication, 2017

1