Anyone have a traditional name they want to share? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

BigBen · 05-13-2005, 11:35 AM

I was given a traditional First Nations name when I was in school (decades ago) and an elder came to the class and taught us about First Nations culture.

My traditional name is: Little Pine

Yes, I was a pretty small kid. The smallest in my class at the time. I have done a lot of growing since then... hence Big Ben now!

I just thought that traditional names were cool, and I was wondering if anyone else had a traditional name given to them by an elder. Want to Share?

There was a story related to me by a friend:

It was spring, and time to give the young men entering puberty their traditional names. The elder went off into the woods, and consulted the Chief and the Band, and then gathered the young men around him.

One of the boys was named "Walking Eagle". The term "Eagle" is a very important one, and is not used very often. The young boy was amazed and smiled as he walked away, chanting to himself, "Walking Eagle, Walking Eagle, that is so cool..."

My friend approached the elder and said in a very respectable voice, "Elder, why did you give him that name? Was it a vision? Did the tribal council recommend it?"

The elder looked over to my friend and didn't pause for a second. "Nope, I called him 'Walking Eagle' because he's too fat to fly..."

Janey · 05-13-2005, 12:36 PM

It is a custom in my family for my father to give us traditional names. Both me and my two sister therefore have 'middle' names that are very similar, and thematic. My traditional name is: Beautiful Apple (don't laugh!) which is spoken as 'Lai Ping', so my name is Jane Ann Lai Ping (insert family name here).

My sisters got Catherine Jessica Lai Win (Beautiful cloud - i think) and Sheryl Christine Lai Min (Beautiful garden - i think).

I don't know where my dad was going with this theme... wishful thinking I suppose.

maleficent · 05-13-2005, 12:39 PM

Well if your sister's look like you, your dad was right with the beautiful part... that's kinda neat that your names mean something so nice...

05-13-2005, 11:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
BigBen Comedian Location: Use the search button	Anyone have a traditional name they want to share? I was given a traditional First Nations name when I was in school (decades ago) and an elder came to the class and taught us about First Nations culture. My traditional name is: Little Pine Yes, I was a pretty small kid. The smallest in my class at the time. I have done a lot of growing since then... hence Big Ben now! I just thought that traditional names were cool, and I was wondering if anyone else had a traditional name given to them by an elder. Want to Share? There was a story related to me by a friend: It was spring, and time to give the young men entering puberty their traditional names. The elder went off into the woods, and consulted the Chief and the Band, and then gathered the young men around him. One of the boys was named "Walking Eagle". The term "Eagle" is a very important one, and is not used very often. The young boy was amazed and smiled as he walked away, chanting to himself, "Walking Eagle, Walking Eagle, that is so cool..." My friend approached the elder and said in a very respectable voice, "Elder, why did you give him that name? Was it a vision? Did the tribal council recommend it?" The elder looked over to my friend and didn't pause for a second. "Nope, I called him 'Walking Eagle' because he's too fat to fly..." __________________ 3.141592654 Hey, if you are impressed with my memorizing pi to 10 digits, you should see the size of my penis.

05-13-2005, 12:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Well if your sister's look like you, your dad was right with the beautiful part... that's kinda neat that your names mean something so nice... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

05-13-2005, 12:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Janey Junkie Location: Toronto	It is a custom in my family for my father to give us traditional names. Both me and my two sister therefore have 'middle' names that are very similar, and thematic. My traditional name is: Beautiful Apple (don't laugh!) which is spoken as 'Lai Ping', so my name is Jane Ann Lai Ping (insert family name here). My sisters got Catherine Jessica Lai Win (Beautiful cloud - i think) and Sheryl Christine Lai Min (Beautiful garden - i think). I don't know where my dad was going with this theme... wishful thinking I suppose.