Filipino Names: Cracking the System

Apr 12, 2011 by Grace

 

I found myself pondering the mystery of Filipino names after a visit to my optometrist last Saturday.  As Dr. Selby’s new patient he was obliged to ask me the million dollar question: “How do you pronounce your name?”.

Before I could muster a response the good doctor began saying, “G-G-Gr-Gra-zieeel?”.

I cringed as my name was bludgeoned for the millionth time. “It’s Graciel like gray-shell“, I offered the information before another round of torture resumed.

“Ah, are you Filpino?”, he asked with a cheeky grin. “You see, I’ve always wondered why Filipinos have such unique names. I once had a patient, a little boy, who was called June4. It turned out that he was named after the date of his parent’s wedding anniversary. Fascinating, isn’t it?”.

Fascinating indeed or it could also be devastating if you happen to get the raw end of the stick. For the longest time, my name and the Filipino way of naming people, have been an annoyance to me. This is one of the reasons why I go by my nickname, Grace. It’s simple and easy to remember. No akward attempts at pronounciation and less explanations needed.

 

Names that will make you scratch your head

If you know a Filipino or have been to the Philippines you would no doubt have been introduced to names that fall into any of these categories: different, unique, weird, funny, mind-boggling, out of this world and no-way-that’s-your-real-name-#omg.

If this is the first time you have ever heard about this, then let me give you a few examples

	First Name	Last name
Example 1	Brooke Shields	Navarro
Example 2	Italy	Rodriguez
Example 3	Van	Go
Example 4	Bach Johann	Sebastian

As you may notice, almost all have Spanish sounding last names. This was because our Spanish colonists decreed a naming system back in 1849 for the purpose of easier taxation. Too many Christianized Filipinos were taking up similar religious instrument or saint names while the old local custom allowed siblings to take up different surnames. It was becoming confusing to steal…er…collect money to offer as fealty to the Spanish kingdom.

What about Van Go? Back when the Philippines served as a major trading port in the world a large number of Chinese immigrants and merchants (including my great grandfather who was a stowaway from China) settled in the country. Thus, roughly 20% of modern day population is comprised of Chinese Filipinos who kept their traditional Chinese surnames.

 

Cracking the System

This still leaves us with the mystery of Filipino first names. Do we just pull it out of our delicate derrieres? I did a quick survey of the most “unique” Filipino names by asking folks on my social network what they have encountered. After some hard coding and analysis (*wink*), I noticed patterns which led me to identify the following naming convention:

 

1. The Perfect Combination

I daresay the most popular system for naming your child is what the paparazzi use to nickname Hollywood power couples. It’s so easy. Pick two (even three) names, combine and you are good to go. The rule is that it has to be important names which may or may not be of religious significance. Usually names of family members are used…the mom, dad, brother, sister, cousin, grandmother, etc. Perfect, right?

2. Senti-mentality System

One thing you have to know about Filipinos is that we are a sentimental bunch. We love to remember and commemorate events, objects, places or people (ahem, favorite actress = example 1 above). All you need to do is to think of a special place, person or date then insert last name.

3. Direct Translation

My personal favorite! This involves  a dictionary and some creativity. Think of the best and most popular English name from history or popular culture then directly translate into Tagalog (the national language in the Philippines). Note that this will only work if you were lucky enough to have a last name that is either already the direct translation or sounds/looks like the surname of the famous person you have chosen.

4. A Themed Approach

I can assure you that there is always more than one child in an average Filipino family. The dilemma now is what to name all of the children? Themes. An elegant solution which will provide you with an infinite source of naming power. Yes, sci-fi categories can be used and I call dibs on the whole cast of Star Wars.

Lessons on Culture

The main thing I have learned from this exercise is that there is method to the madness. “Outsiders” may often view these names as totally random or stupid. But as you can see there is an unwritten rule that most Filipinos instinctively follow.

I have to say that the Philippine naming convention is a result of a melting pot of local, Chinese, Spanish and American culture. Coupled with the Filipino sense of humor and a happy go luck mentality we firmly believe that names should be fun.  More importantly it should also be meaningful. It is in the personal meaning of names that we find the confidence to continue this system. Take it or leave it. I, for one, am finally embracing it.

GRACE + RACHEL = GRACIEL

 

What’s the most unique name you have encountered? Or are you aware of other unique “naming conventions”?