Tungu Names

Here we will show you some of Tungu's cultural practices and traditions. We shall begin with something close to every Tungun's heart: their suwa (name).

A full Tungun name has three parts: the suwangepa (adult name), the suwawesu (child name), and the suwayepey (baby name). As their names suggest, an adult name is gained upon becoming an adult, a child name is gained upon becoming a child, and a baby name is gained upon being born.

The Parts of Names
When a baby is born, they are given their mother's adult name as a baby name. Since babies only have baby names, every baby born to the same mother has the same baby name. You might think that's confusing, but we Tungun don't really worry about distinguishing babies from each other. Which baby comes from who is about as far as we go.

When a baby grows into a child, their family holds a small naming ceremony where their mother gives them their child name. Child names are chosen to impart good qualities upon the child. Some common child names are Huna (True), Ngusa (Strong), Mitwa (Beautiful), and Ngiki (Smart).

When a child grows into an adult, their family holds another, larger naming ceremony. This time, the new adult gets to pick their name; their adult name. There's no real limit to what an adult can name themself, but as with child names, single words are most common. It's also possible for an adult to use their child name as their adult name. In that case, the adult simply has the same name for both names.

Using Names
While a full Tungun name has three parts, using all of them together is rare. Each name is used in different circumstances and by different people.

A Tungun's baby name is almost never used after they cease being a baby, and when it is, it's almost never used alone. A baby name can be added to an adult or child name to distinguish between people with the same adult/child name but different baby names and a baby name can be added to the word ka'a (child) to extend a Tungun's mother's prestige to the Tungun.

A Tungun's child name is, of course, used while they are a child and is often used by family and childhood friends even after the Tungun has grown into an adult. People other than family and childhood friends can use a Tungun's child name after adulthood, but unless they've been given permission, it's considered very rude.

A Tungun's adult name is used for the majority of their life by just about everyone. Friends and coworkers can use a diminutive form of a Tungun's adult name to show intimacy without worrying about potential rudeness using a child name could bring about. Diminutive names typically consist of the first syllable of the adult name doubled. For example, a Tungun with the adult name Sira (Fire) could be called Sisi (Firey).

A Tungun's adult name can also be added to the word humu (parent) to form a name that extends a Tungun's prestige to their parent. Naturally, the parent is called with this particular name, not the Tungun themself.

Foreign Names
Adopting a foreign name into the Tungun name structure is fairly easy: the first or given name becomes the adult and child names and the family name becomes the baby name. Naturally, if a foreigner's name contains a matronymic, that becomes the baby name instead and foreigners are free to choose their own adult name just as Tunguns do.

You might think that a middle name would make for a perfect child name, but that's rarely done. It's considered more Tungun to have the same adult and child name than to use a given name as the adult name and a middle name as a child name.

Adopting Tungun names into foreign naming structures is somewhat harder. To fit into a given name family name structure, one part of the Tungun name must be dropped. Typically, the baby name is used as the family name and the adult or child name is used as the given name, depending on the Tungun's age. Where possible, a Tungun will change their given name into their adult name upon reaching adulthood. Similarly, where possible, a Tungun will use their own "given" name as their children's family name.

If any of you have any names you want us to Tungunize, or naming systems you want us to try and shove a Tungun name into, just let us know below!