Mizo Name
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Mizo names are
personal names A personal name, full name or prosoponym (from Ancient Greek ''prósōpon'' – person, and ''onoma'' –name) is the set of names by which an individual person or animal is known. When taken together as a word-group, they all relate to that on ...
used by the
Mizo people The Mizo people, historically called the Lushais, are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group primarily from Mizoram in northeastern India. They speak Mizo, one of the state's official languages and its lingua franca. Beyond Mizoram, sizable Mizo commu ...
in, or originating from,
Northeast India Northeast India, officially the North Eastern Region (NER), is the easternmost region of India representing both a geographic and political Administrative divisions of India, administrative division of the country. It comprises eight States and ...
and
Myanmar Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...
. In the Mizo traditional system, a
given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...
is specifically gender-based and the whole name is single-worded ( mononymic). As in many Asian traditions, the Mizo and related Tibeto-Burman names normally do not have surnames. However, unlike other Tibeto-Burman languages, the Mizo language adopted gender classification in the given name: a suffix with ''-a'' denotes a male and ''-i'', a female. However, not all clans of the Mizo universally use the system and modernised names have multiple parts, including English or other foreign given names and surnames. The British rule of the Mizo people and the ensuing mass Christianisation coupled with westernisation had huge influence on the Mizo naming system. Erstwhile not known names, including foreign names and surnames, became commonly adopted. The proper names in modern times are popularly a reflection of Christian worship; some of the common prefixes, ''Lal'', ''Van'' and ''Vanlal'', which were once restricted to regal names, are popular as allusion to god and heaven. An impetus for the change into and popularisation of foreign names and western naming order consisting of first, middle name and surname, or at least two-part name is that Mizo traditional names, both spelling and pronunciation, are difficult for others, some countries prohibiting single-part names (like the Middle East countries) and some Indian official registry requiring surnames and other parts of the name. A modern convention of incorporating clan names as surnames in multi-part names is still not technically a surname system, since surnames are not used in the calling name.


Traditional name


Background

Mizo language is originally part of the
Sino-Tibetan Sino-Tibetan (also referred to as Trans-Himalayan) is a family of more than 400 languages, second only to Indo-European in number of native speakers. Around 1.4 billion people speak a Sino-Tibetan language. The vast majority of these are the 1.3 ...
and Tibeto-Burman languages with several common linguistic roots to Burmese language. Within the language subgroup Mizo shares names of people, objects, verbs and nature with other ethnic languages. Mizo language is further categorised under the central Kuki-chin group that includes Mizo (Duhlian), Bawm (Sunthla and Panghawi),
Falam Falam (, ) is a town in north-western Burma (Myanmar) near Burma's western border with the Indian state of Mizoram. The town was founded by the Taisun tribe. The British arrived to Falam in 1892, and became an important base for British rule of ...
(Hallam,
Ranglong Ranglong is an ethnic people belonging to the Kuki people. The majority of the Ranglong people live in a small and densely-packed area in the northeastern part of India, mainly in the border areas of Tripura, Assam and Mizoram. History The ...
,
Darlong Darlong (Dalong) is one of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo languages of India and is a sub-tribe language of Hmar people It is spoken by the Darlong people of Tripura. See also * Darlong people * Darchawi Darchawi ( Darlong for "Darchawi khua") is a v ...
, Hauhulh, Simpi, Hualngo, Chorei),
Thor Thor (from ) is a prominent list of thunder gods, god in Germanic paganism. In Norse mythology, he is a hammer-wielding æsir, god associated with lightning, thunder, storms, sacred trees and groves in Germanic paganism and mythology, sacred g ...
(Tawr),
Hmar Hmar may refer to: *Hmars or Hmar people, in northeastern India **Hmar languages, Tibeto-Burman subfamily of languages, spoken by the Hmar ***Hmar language The Hmar language (Hmar: ''Khawsak Țawng'') is a Northern Mizo language spoken by the ...
, Hrangkhol, Biate (Biete),
Hakha Hakha (, ; formerly rendered Haka) is the capital of Chin State in Myanmar. Hakha is located in the northeast of Chin State, with a total area of about . The city of Hakha is located on a plateau at more than above sea level. Although relative ...
(Lai/Pawi, Mi-E, Zokhua), Pangkhua, Saihriem, Laizo/ Tlaisun, Khualsim,
Zanniat The Zanniat tribe are people of western Myanmar (Burma) who are a sub-group of the Chin peoples. The Zanniat tribe has fifty-seven sub-groupings and clans. The group's existence was recorded (along with three of its many sub-groups) in Burma's 1931 ...
, Zahau, and Sim. People using the Mizo language are distributed in
Pherzawl district Pherzawl district is located in the southern part of the state of Manipur. It is bounded on the east by Churachandpur District; on the north by Tamenglong District, Noney District and Jiribam district; on the west by the Cachar District of As ...
of Manipur, parts of
Cachar district Cachar district is an administrative districts of Assam, district in the state of Assam in India. After independence, the pre-existing undivided Cachar district was split into four districts: Dima Hasao district, Dima Hasao (formerly North Cachar ...
and
Karbi Anglong district Karbi Anglong district is an District, administrative unit in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Assam. It is an autonomous district administered by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) according to the provisions ...
of Assam, southern Tripura, and the entire Mizoram, in India; as wells as western regions of Myanmar and the
Chittagong Hill Tracts The Chittagong Hill Tracts (), often shortened to simply the Hill Tracts and abbreviated to CHT, refers to the three hilly districts within the Chittagong Division in southeastern Bangladesh, bordering India and Myanmar (Burma) in the east: Kh ...
of Bangladesh. The people and their language emerged as a result of Zo or Zomi diaspora in the 19th century. Mizo was purely an oral language until the people encountered the British in the late 19th century. In 1894, Welsh missionaries under Robert Arthington's Aborigines Mission,
James Herbert Lorrain James Herbert Lorrain, or Pu Buanga, (6 February 1870 – 1 July 1944) was a Scottish people, Scottish Baptist missionary in northeast India, including Mizoram, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. He and Frederick William Savidge reduced the Mizo lan ...
and Frederick William Savidge arrived in Aizawl, and their first work was creating the
Mizo alphabet The Mizo alphabet ( Mizo: , lit. 'Mizo letters') is the modern writing script for the Mizo language. It uses the Latin script based on the Hunterian transliteration originally developed by F.W. Savidge and J.H. Lorrain. History The founda ...
. Lorrain and Savidge, and later missionaries, established the written Mizo language and largely influenced creating personal names.


Structure

Traditional Mizo names are a single given name and strictly composed of one part (mononyms). A complete name is typically two to four syllables, but never monosyllabic. Mizo names are
unisex Unisex is an adjective indicating something is not sex-specific, i.e. is suitable for any type of sex. The term can also mean gender-blindness or gender neutrality. The term 'unisex' was coined in the 1960s and was used fairly informally. The co ...
but rely on suffix identification. Although written in one word, the name basically comprises two components: the main given name which identifies individuals and a terminal syllable which is a gender determinant. The gender suffix is either ''-a'' for males and ''-i'' for females; in spoken, ''a'' sounds as English short ''a'' (
IPA IPA commonly refers to: * International Phonetic Alphabet, a system of phonetic notation ** International Phonetic Association, the organization behind the alphabet * India pale ale, a style of beer * Isopropyl alcohol, a chemical compound IPA ...
ə), while ''i'' is English short ''e'' (IPA ɪ). The main name without the suffix can be common to both sexes, as a neutral gender.
Examples: * "Khuma" and "Khara" were the first Mizo people to receive Christian baptism in 1899. The suffixes ''-a'' indicate they were males. * "
Ropuiliani Ropuiliani (1828–3 January 1895) was the first recorded Mizo Queen in history during British colonial rule in the Lushai Hills. She is remembered for her resistance against British colonial forces after the death of her husband, Vandula. She ...
" was the chieftain of Denlung and surrounding chiefdoms during the
Chin-Lushai Expedition of 1889–90 The Chin-Lushai Expedition of 1889–90 was a British punitive expedition in Myanmar, Burma and India against the tribes of the Chin Hills and Lushai Hills. Background Following the Lushai Expedition, Lushai Expedition of 1871–72, the border ...
. The suffix ''-i'' identifies the person as a female.


Pre-Mizo script records

The British army officers and administrative officials were the first foreigners to make contact with and survey the lands inhabited by the Mizo people, and started the first written records of the culture and society of the different tribes. Captain
Thomas Herbert Lewin Thomas Herbert Lewin (, , , 1 April 1839-11 February 1916) was a British military officer, linguist and ethnologist. He is most well known for his role as the superintendent of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Lewin studied and published on the tri ...
first mentioned one Mizo chief named "Rutton Poia" in his monograph ''The Hill Tracts of Chittagong and the Dwellers Therein'' in 1869. Lewin mistook the name as two parts in all his accounts, but the correct name is "
Rothangpuia Rothangpuia () was a Lushai chief of the Thangluaha dynasty. Rothangpuia established himself in the Chittagong Hill tracts and became a British ally after the Raban Expedition. He would become a close ally of Thomas Herbert Lewin and participa ...
". A. Campbell, a medical officer, reported in 1874 some Mizo (then variously called and spelled Lushais or Looshais or Kookis or Kookas) names based on English phonetics and alphabets such as: ** "Vanpilal", which would be properly written in Mizo script as "Vanpuilala", name of a chieftain. ** "Vanolel", which would be "
Vanhnuailiana Vanhnuailiana (; ; - 1871) was the chief of the Eastern Lushai Hills. Vanhnuailiana expanded his influence over the Sukte and Poi tribes in the east and attempted incursions into Naga territories in Manipur. He was considered the most powerful ...
", a major chieftain. Two army officers, Robert Gosset Woodthorpe (in his 1873 book ''The Lushai'' ''Expedition, 1871–1872'') and Lewin (in ''A'' ''Fly on the Wheel: Or, How I Helped to Govern India'' of 1885), who led the
Lushai Expedition The British Indian Army Lushai Expedition of 1871 to 1872 was a punitive incursion under the command of Generals Charles Henry Brownlow, Brownlow and George Bourchier (Indian Army officer), Bourchier. The objectives of the expedition were to r ...
, were the first to document comprehensive lists of the Mizo chiefs. In addition to "Vanpilal" (or "Voupilal" according to Woodthorpe) and "Vanolel", some notable names are: ** "Lalboora" is correctly "Lalburha". ** "Lalingvoom" is "Lallianvunga". ** "Lalsavoong" is "Lalsavunga". ** "Sukpilal" is "Suakpuilala". ** "Lai Jika" is "Lalzika". Lewin was also the first to document the structure of Mizo language. In his 1874 book ''Progressive Colloquial Exercises in the Lushai Dialect'', he exemplified the use of common Mizo names: ** "My brother's name is Muktee" means "''Koyma u hming Mukia ani.''" n modern script: "''Ka u hming chu Mukia a ni.''"ref name=":8"> ** "The daughter of my female slave is named Laijovi" means "''Koyma boinu afanu a-hming Laijovi ani ey.''" n modern script: "''Ka bawihnu fanu hming chu Lalzovi a ni e.''"ref name=":8" /> In the book, Lewin also recorded folk tales of male and female characters such as "Lal Rounga" odern script: "Lalruanga"and "Kungori" odern script: "Kungawrhi"


Vocative case

In verbal address, Mizo names, whether single-part or multiple-part form, are not used in the full forms. Usually two syllables from any part of the name are used. In case of multiple syllabic name, the gender suffix is always eliminated.
Examples: "Thanphunga" will be addressed as "Thangphung" by dropping the third syllable, the suffix; "Liankungi" is to be addressed as "Liankung."
In case of two syllabic name, the gender suffix is retained.
Examples: "Khuma" is always "Khuma" in writing or verbal address; "Tungi" remains "Tungi".


Regal names

In the past, regal names were reserved within the use of Mizo chieftains. The Mizo has an idiom "''lal hming sakna dâl lo''" signifying the traditional rule that literally means "unhindered to the chief's name" so that it was customary for a commoner to avoid any name that might be associated with the chieftains. Names of the chiefs popularly included "Lal" and "Van" which refers to chieftainship and greatness are unsuitable for the commoners. Such names as "Lalburha", "Vanpuilala", "Vanhnuailiana", etc., would not be given to commoners. The elitist naming was practically ended due to
Independence of India The Indian independence movement was a series of historic events in South Asia with the ultimate aim of ending British Raj, British colonial rule. It lasted until 1947, when the Indian Independence Act 1947 was passed. The first nationalistic ...
from the British rule in 1947. The birth of new democratic government facilitated creation political parties for the citizens. The first major party in Mizoram, the Mizo Union, which largely proliferated out of anachronistic attitude towards tribal chiefs was particularly effective in ousting the Mizo chiefdoms and thus obliterating the regal naming tradition.


Warriors

Warriors were central to the safety and security of the Mizo communities, and were distinguished from the general public and attire. Their names also carried social distinctions not shared by others. For example, "Kapṭiala" would be that the person had shot (''kap'') a striped beast, a tiger (''ṭial''). "
Saizahawla Pasalṭha Saizahawla was a Mizo warrior renowned for his strength and prowess as a wrestler and athlete. Early life Saihazawla was born in 1858 to Chalpuaa and Tuahnuii of the Hmar Hmar may refer to: *Hmars or Hmar people, in northeastern In ...
" signifies, in exaggeration, one who fought hundred elephants. "Keivawmhranga" suggests an encounter with the beasts such as bears and tigers.


Hypocorism

Pet names were also given to warriors to replace their birth names. "
Taitesena Pasalṭha Taitesena born Ralthathchhunga was a famous Mizo warrior, hunter, and volunteer. He is considered an idol of Mizo youths for his virtue of Tlawmngaihna. Early life Taitesena was born in January 1882 as Ralthatchhunga to a Khinagte ...
" was a new name given to Ralthatchhunga Khiangte – a birth name already an expression of bravery against enemies. "Thangzachhinga" as a warrior became " Vanapa".


Firstborn-derived names

Many notable people changed their birth names by adopting the names of their firstborn. Thanzachhinga's firstborn was Vana, hence his new name "Vanapa" (literally "Vana's father"). Another warrior, Khawtindala had a firstborn daughter, Burkhawni, so he became "Burkhawnipa". A noted folk composer, Hmarlutvunga was later known as "Awithangpa" after his firstborn son, Awithanga. This custom of identifying parents by their children's name is known as ''Fa Hming Koh'' (naming after the firstborn).


Conversion of foreign names

For the early Mizo people, foreign names were not easily recognised, so that Mizo-rendering names were given. They called the British people ''Sâp'', a corruption of the
Hindi Modern Standard Hindi (, ), commonly referred to as Hindi, is the Standard language, standardised variety of the Hindustani language written in the Devanagari script. It is an official language of India, official language of the Government ...
/
Urdu Urdu (; , , ) is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in South Asia. It is the Languages of Pakistan, national language and ''lingua franca'' of Pakistan. In India, it is an Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of Indi ...
word ''sahib'', used as a "respectful title used by the natives of India in addressing an Englishman or other European (= 'Sir')." The Mizo-adapted words came to be used for many British missionaries, who were later collectively named ''Zosâp''. ** The first missionaries were Frederick William Savidge, called "Sap Upa" (for old ''sahib''), and James Herbert Lorrain, names "Pu Buanga" ("Mr Brown"). ** The first Presbyterian missionaries were David Evan Jones, called "Zosaphluia" (the older Mizo white man or Mizo-''sahib''), and Edwin Rowlands, called "Zosapthara" (the new Mizo-''sahib''). ** Edith Mary Chapman became "Pi Zirtiri" (the teacher; "Pi" is a honorific title for women). The British officers were not normally given the ''sâp'' names: ** Thomas Herbert Lewin was called "Thangliana" (the greatly famous/well-known). ** The first political officer, Captain Herbert Richard Browne was named "Hmaireka" (pinched face). ** Browne's successor Robert Blair McCabe was infamous for capturing the chiefs and was called "Lalmantua" (He who captures chief). ** J. Shakespeare was known as "Tarmita" (Glasses).


Transliteration

The Mizo people found some foreign names similar in tone to Mizo words and gave Mizo names based on their original names. ** Basil Edward Jones and his wife Margareth Jones were called "Pu Zâwna" and "Pi Zâwni" respectively. ** Molly Parker and her companion Imogen P. Roberts were called "Pi Pari" and "Pi Rovi". ** Owen William Owen became "Pu Âwna". ** Missionary Rev. FJ. Sandy as Pu Dîa


Modern names


Mononyms

Following the traditional Mizo names, many modern names are made of one part, multisyllabic words and with gender determinant.
Example: * " Lalrinpuii" is with a female suffix, such as the Minister of State of Mizoram since 2023. * "Lalduhawma" is a male name, as that of the
Chief Minister of Mizoram The chief minister of Mizoram is the head of government, chief executive of the Indian state of Mizoram. As per the Constitution of India, the Governors of states of India, governor is a state's ''de jure'' head, but ''de facto'' executive autho ...
since 2023. The person chose an alternate spelling "
Lalduhoma Lalduhoma (alternatively spelled Lalduhawma; born 22 February 1949) is an Indian politician who serves as the 6th Chief Minister of Mizoram since 8 December 2023. Formerly an Indian Police Service officer, he resigned from the security service ...
".


Hypocorism

It is customary in Mizo community to use and have pet names in diminutive forms of the full names. Full names are not used in verbal communication and is considered a rude behaviour. Especially in a close family, calling by a full name is an indication of confrontational situation and aggressive interaction. An individual name can have a variety of pet names.
Example: * "Lalrinoma" can be called "Rina", "Rintea", "Marina", etc. * "Zothanpari" can be called "Zovi", "Thani", "Pari", "Zotei", "Partei", "Athani", etc.
In all the derivatives, the gender suffixes are retained and can be transposed to other syllables such as in "Marina" (''Ma-rin-a'', not ''Ma-ri-na'') in which ''-a'' is originally part of the syllable ''-oma''. In extended derivatives like "Marina" and "Athani", the prefixes ''Ma-'' and ''A-''denote endearment and is used in a close community; additional insertion such as in ''-te-'' as in "Rintea" and "Partei" are also similar endearment. In some cases, the pet name can completely replace the given name while still retaining the gender determinant. For example,
Lalnghinglova Hmar Lalnghinglova Hmar (popularly known as Tetea Hmar, born on 9 October 1977) is the current Minister of State for Labour, Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Department, Sport & Youth Services Department and Excise & Narcotics Departm ...
(a journalist and Minister of State of since 2023) is most widely known as "Tetea"; Lalrindiki Khiangte, a popular singer, is mostly known by the name "Daduhi".


Christianisation

The establishment of British rule in 1889, the mass christianisation the Mizo people and development of formal education had huge impact in the naming conventions of the Mizo people. The title and common prefix ''Lal-'', previously reserved for chiefs to signify their authority and sovereignty, came to represent the " Almighty God" in
Christian theology Christian theology is the theology – the systematic study of the divine and religion – of Christianity, Christian belief and practice. It concentrates primarily upon the texts of the Old Testament and of the New Testament, as well as on Ch ...
, democratizing its usage across society. For instance, "Lalrinchhani" means "having faith in god." By the 20th century, allusions to god and heaven, ''Lal'', ''Van'' and ''Vanlal'' became the most common components of Mizo names''.'' Many people bears names like "Laldinpuii", "Lalhmangaihi", "Lalremruata", "Vanhlira", "Vanlalhruaia", etc. As Lalthlamuong Keivom remarked: If all people with ''lal'' in their names are to be annihilated, over half of the total population in Mizoram will perish. In addition to Mizo names with religious references, Biblical names such as John, Isaac, Esther, Ruth, and Jacob have become common, replacing the traditional first name with the Biblical names and moving the Mizo given names as the middle name or surname. Some have integrated the Biblical terms into the Mizo given name, such as "Lalkrawsthanga" ("kraws" for cross, the
crucifix A crucifix (from the Latin meaning '(one) fixed to a cross') is a cross with an image of Jesus on it, as distinct from a bare cross. The representation of Jesus himself on the cross is referred to in English as the (Latin for 'body'). The cru ...
). "Gospela" and "Gospeli" (like the singer), "Israela" (another singer), and "Jerusalemi" are relatively common.


Two-part names

Up to the mid-20th century, the traditional single-part name was used by the Mizo people. The influence of western education and exposure to British culture started to make their marks in restructuring the naming tradition conducive to the foreigners. The first notable name change and adoption was Suakmitchhinga who was among the first Christian converts and an aide to Lorrain and Savidge. In an enrolment to the first Mizo school in 1903, his name was "Suaka", the most commonly used part of his name. In later official records, his was written "M. Suaka" (''M'' from his last-part name). In that first school all the 20 students had one-part names, including the two girls, Nuii (''Nui-i'') and Saii (''Sai-i''). The first Mizo to have an education abroad was Chawngnghilhlova, who earned a degree of Diploma in Education from London in 1925. He later adopted the name "Ch. Pasena" (the given name became abbreviated and the second part is the nickname).


Integrating clan names

A two-part name became more popular as education and Christianity progressed. As in the eastern name order practiced by most Asian cultures, the surname (clan) comes first followed by the given name. One of the first school teachers was Hranghnuka who became "D.K. Kawnga" (in reference to "Denga Khiangte Kawnga" in which "Khiangte" is a clan name and the rest pet names). The first Mizo, as well as a tribal, to qualify for
Indian Administrative Service The Indian Administrative Service (IAS) is the Public administration, administrative arm of the All India Services of Government of India. The IAS is one of the three All India Services along with the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian ...
in 1954 was Jamchonga Nampui (''Nampui'' is a clan of the Mizo sub-tribe Biate). Two-part name using clan name became a popular naming tradition. A common system is abbreviating the clan name since the Mizo people do not call each other by clan names. " K. Sapdanga", the name of journalist and Home Minister since 2023, indicates the clan ''Khawlhring''. In an alternate variation, a western name order is applied so that the clan name in the second part functions as a surname. However, the clan name is not used, especially in verbal communication, and is thus technically not a surname.


Socio-political influences

Before the birth of Indian politics and demise of chieftainship, Mizo people were warring tribes, one chieftain often invading others. There was no umbrella name for the different sub-tribes for which the diverse clans were known collectively but in ambiguous names like Lushais or Looshais or Lusei or Kookis or Kookas or Kukis. The name "Lushai" was used for all the clans under which the people became more united under the British rule; the administrative are was designated the Lushai District under the government of Assam. The British missionaries established the most inclusive organisation based on Mizo culture named the Young Lushai Association in 1933. As India was preparing for independence from Britain, in 1946, a prefatory political party was created and named the Lushai Commoners Union, which was soon after changed to Mizo Common People's Union, and finally
Mizo Union Mizo Union (6 April 1946 – 12 January 1974) was the first political party in Mizoram, in Northeast India. It was founded on 6 April 1946 at Aizawl as the Mizo Common People's Union. At the time of independence of India from British rule in I ...
, within the same year. The name "Mizo" became more acceptable to the natives for all the clans. In 1947, YLA was renamed
Young Mizo Association The Young Mizo Association (YMA) is the largest and most comprehensive non-profit, secular, nongovernmental organisation of the Mizo people. It was established on 15 June 1935, originally as the Young Lushai Association (YLA), which was later r ...
; the administrative region became Mizo District in 1954. Introduction of the term "Mizo" influenced ethnic nationalism such that ''zo'' became part of many personal names. "Zohmangaiha" "Zoramchhana", "Zonunpari", "Zonunmawia", etc. became popular. The first Mizo Youth Icon in 2006 was Zoramchhani.
Zoramthanga Zoramthanga (born 13 July 1944) is an Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Mizoram from 1998 to 2008 and 2018 to 2023. He is also the president of Mizo National Front (MNF) party. He represents the Aizawl East I constituency in the ...
was Chief Minister from 1998 to 2008 and 2018 to 2023.


Indian system and westernisation

The Indian federal law does not define the official system of naming, single-part and abbreviated names can be created in the enrolment to the most important documents including Indian passport, permanent account number (PAN) and Aadhaar (citizenship identification). PAN has option for three-part names and allows single-part name in the "last name/surname" category, while prohibiting abbreviations or initials only such as commonly used by the Mizo people and south Indians. However, abbreviation is allowed in the middle name. Aadhaar is more flexible and allows various naming conventions as long as supporting documents exist such as birth certificates. The Indian passport has drawbacks by allowing single-part name but insisting on two-part names, but no abbreviations. Middle East countries had specifically demanded two-part names for all Indian travellers. Some south Indians simply divide the convenient syllables of their names into two parts. For example, "Varunshankar" is split into "Varun Shankar". In western countries, opening accounts or transactions in banks require two-part names. Some Mizo people with only one-part name entered their full names both in the first and last/surname. However, these practices of splitting or making up full names can create problems since a name should be consistent to the character in all Indian documents including bank accounts. As a result there was an uproar in 2019 when the Indian government and the Supreme Court mandated linking of all identifications (PAN and Aadhaar) with bank accounts. Mizo people in Myanmar have developed a tradition of splitting the syllables of their names for ease of passport and document registrations. Still retaining the traditional Mizo name they write in several parts, like "Lian Thang Vunga" or "Daw Sei Thangi". The first Mizo to participate in
Olympic Games The modern Olympic Games (Olympics; ) are the world's preeminent international Olympic sports, sporting events. They feature summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a Multi-s ...
was Vanlal Dawla (as registered in the Olympics registry) who represented Myanmar in boxing in
1972 Within the context of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) it was the longest year ever, as two leap seconds were added during this 366-day year, an event which has not since been repeated. (If its start and end are defined using Solar time, ...
.


Western order names

Particular for those who live in mixed communities with other ethnic groups, Mizo traditional names can face shortcomings both in pronunciation and writing. For universality some people have adopted multiple-part names, usually using first foreign names, Mizo traditional name as the middle names and clan names as surnames. A linguist, Lalrinmuani Kingbawl experienced identity issues among other people for her name is too long and difficult to pronounce for non-Mizo people; she adopted "Rebecca" as the first name and writes as "Rebecca L. Kingbawl". Some Mizo Indian Administrative Service officers are Robert Lalchungnunga Chongthu, Christina Zothanpari Chongthu and Grace Lalrindiki Pachuau. Joy Lalkrawspari Pachuau, professor of history at Jawaharlal Nehru University and winner of the 2014 Mizo Award, officialy writes her name as "Joy L.K. Pachuau".


Marital names

Adopting one's husband's surname is a common practice in most Indian cultures. However, the Mizo people normally never change their maiden names. A rare instance is Lalthantluangi Khiangte ("Khiangte" is a clan name) who be came the first Mizo woman to qualify for the IAS in 1979; after her marriage she adopted her husband's clan name and became "L. Tochhawng" (variant "L. Tochhong").


Pseudonyms

An early influence of westernisation was the use of pseudonyms by notable people ranging from government officials, church leaders to musical artists.
For example: * A traditional Christian singer, "Siampuii Sailo" was by birth name "Lalthansiami". * A Christian composer, "Damhauha" was originally "Lallianchhunga". * One of the earliest government officials and authors, "P.S. Dahrawka" was originally "Kaphnuna". The full name is "Pawi Sasem Dahrawka". "Pawi Sasem" being the name of his clan. * One of the earliest clergies and historians, "Liangkhaia" was by birth "Kaphnuna".


Pen names

The earliest high-ranking officers who were also writers made pen names popular. Kaphnuna always used the name "P.S. Dahrawka". An Indian Foreign Service officer and the first Mizo ambassador of India, K.C. Lalvunga wrote his novels under the name "Zikpuii Pa", Zikpuii being his firstborn. An early lawyer, J. Malsawma originally wrote under the name "Mang N Mang" after a fictional son "Mang Neih Mang" ("Mang" itself was his father's Name), and when he actually had a firstborn daughter, he adopted the name "Thanpuii Pa". Among later generations, pen names became less popular. A notable individual is Vanramchhuangi who writes under the name "Ruatfela Nu".


Kinship and honorific

In Mizo culture, the terms "pi" and "pu" are used to designate men and women in different aspects. The compound term "''pi leh pu''" itself means ancestors (indicating ancestral females and males). In kinship term, the terms are used for calling names to parents: father is called "pa", so one calls his/her father "ka pa"; mother is "nu", her children call her "ka nu". In community reference, they are used as titles to indicate married women and men respectively. They are also used to signify elders a sign of respect: ** Pu Rema (which is equivalent to Mr Rema). ** Pi Kungi (Mrs Kungi). The terms are also used as honorific to eminent people as a gesture of respect. ** For a female traditional composer and singer, "Pi Hmuaki" is universally used, but not "Hmuaki". ** British missionary nurse E.O. Dicks was called "Pi Dawki". ** The first Mizo to become
Brigadier Brigadier ( ) is a military rank, the seniority of which depends on the country. In some countries, it is a senior rank above colonel, equivalent to a brigadier general or commodore (rank), commodore, typically commanding a brigade of several t ...
of the
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and second Chief Minister, Ṭhenphunga Sailo is known and called by the name "Pu Ṭhena" (but not "Phunga" or "Sailo").


References


Citations


Sources

* * * * * * * * {{Honorifics Names by language Mizo language Tibeto-Burman languages Culture of Mizoram