Basque Names

28
SEARCHING FOR OUR SEARCHING FOR OUR EUROPEAN ROOTS EUROPEAN ROOTS . . PERSONAL NAMES IN THE BASQUE PERSONAL NAMES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY COUNTRY . . Our names. Ekialdea Our names. Ekialdea BHI BHI Izena duena bada” Izena duena bada” Lo que tiene nombre existe” Lo que tiene nombre existe” Whatever/Whoever has a name exists” Whatever/Whoever has a name exists”

description

sOME RESEARCH INTO bASQUE NAMES

Transcript of Basque Names

Page 1: Basque Names

SEARCHING FOR OUR SEARCHING FOR OUR EUROPEAN ROOTSEUROPEAN ROOTS..

PERSONAL NAMES IN THE BASQUE PERSONAL NAMES IN THE BASQUE

COUNTRYCOUNTRY. . Our names. Ekialdea Our names. Ekialdea BHIBHI

““Izena duena bada”Izena duena bada”““Lo que tiene nombre existe”Lo que tiene nombre existe”““Whatever/Whoever has a name exists”Whatever/Whoever has a name exists”

Page 2: Basque Names

Personal namesPersonal names

A personal name is a name that belongs to a person. Family names A personal name is a name that belongs to a person. Family names and given names are prominent examples of personal names. and given names are prominent examples of personal names.

It is not known when humans first began using names though the It is not known when humans first began using names though the practice is certainly very old, probably extending far into prehistory. practice is certainly very old, probably extending far into prehistory. Our most ancient written texts and mythologies contain examples of Our most ancient written texts and mythologies contain examples of names. Names almost always have an etymological meaning, names. Names almost always have an etymological meaning, implying that they were originally words.implying that they were originally words.

Although all cultures use names, naming customs vary greatly from Although all cultures use names, naming customs vary greatly from people to people. In some cases they are very simple, such as people to people. In some cases they are very simple, such as those of many Indonesians who use just a single name. On the those of many Indonesians who use just a single name. On the other hand, traditional Chinese naming practices were very other hand, traditional Chinese naming practices were very complex. Chinese males were given different names at various complex. Chinese males were given different names at various points in their lives, in addition to a family name and sometimes a points in their lives, in addition to a family name and sometimes a generation name. generation name.

Page 3: Basque Names

Both in the Basque and Spanish tradition newborn babies get one or Both in the Basque and Spanish tradition newborn babies get one or two names.Compound names are frequent but a person uses only two names.Compound names are frequent but a person uses only one name for everyday life in spite of having two names in official one name for everyday life in spite of having two names in official

papers (identity card, drivingpapers (identity card, driving licence...)licence...)

Parents can choose any name for their children as long as it is not Parents can choose any name for their children as long as it is not derogatory for the child or has negative connotations. They can also derogatory for the child or has negative connotations. They can also decide to give their children the father´s surname first or the motherdecide to give their children the father´s surname first or the mother´s. This is new since traditionally all people have their father´s ´s. This is new since traditionally all people have their father´s surname, then the mother´s and so on. We can all remember our surname, then the mother´s and so on. We can all remember our first eight family names. Tracing their origin means going deep into first eight family names. Tracing their origin means going deep into the roots of the family.the roots of the family.

Example: Miren Uriarte Aranburu (mother)Example: Miren Uriarte Aranburu (mother) Jon Etxebarria Lasagabaster (father)Jon Etxebarria Lasagabaster (father) Asier Etxebarria Uriarte Lasagabaster Aranburu (child)Asier Etxebarria Uriarte Lasagabaster Aranburu (child)

In official papers we all have our first full name and two surnames In official papers we all have our first full name and two surnames (nearly always first the father´s and then the mother´s)(nearly always first the father´s and then the mother´s)Women don´t change their names when they get married.Women don´t change their names when they get married.

Page 4: Basque Names

Names serve several purposes. Most importantly they help distinguish us Names serve several purposes. Most importantly they help distinguish us from one another.from one another.Christian names were imposed for the distinction of Christian names were imposed for the distinction of persons, surnames for the difference of families. The Christian name is persons, surnames for the difference of families. The Christian name is not merely the forename distinctive of the individual member of a family, not merely the forename distinctive of the individual member of a family, but the name given to him at his "christening", i.e., his baptism. We call but the name given to him at his "christening", i.e., his baptism. We call our first name “ nombre de pila (font name)” our first name “ nombre de pila (font name)”

Within names of The Basque Country we can include:Within names of The Basque Country we can include:1.1. Those of Basque origin found in Aquitania´s graves from the first to the Those of Basque origin found in Aquitania´s graves from the first to the

third centuries (Andere, Ilun), medieval (Eneko, Otsanda), literary (Aitor, third centuries (Andere, Ilun), medieval (Eneko, Otsanda), literary (Aitor, Aitzol), mythological (Mari, Urtzi).Aitzol), mythological (Mari, Urtzi).

2.2. Religious names (Adame, Joanes) with popular variations (Peru).Religious names (Adame, Joanes) with popular variations (Peru).3.3. Those related to Sanctuaries, especially devoted to the Virgin (Begoña, Those related to Sanctuaries, especially devoted to the Virgin (Begoña,

Estibaliz, Leire). Each name is connected with a province or area.Estibaliz, Leire). Each name is connected with a province or area.4.4. Common names turned into personal names (Haizea/Wind, Haritz/Oak, Common names turned into personal names (Haizea/Wind, Haritz/Oak,

Ibai/River, Lorea/Flower, Ur/Water, Oihana/Jungle)Ibai/River, Lorea/Flower, Ur/Water, Oihana/Jungle)5.5. Toponyms, non religious names of different places such as mountains, Toponyms, non religious names of different places such as mountains,

villages… (Ainhize, Aralar, Gorbeia).villages… (Ainhize, Aralar, Gorbeia).6.6. Historical and mythological (Grecolatin and foreign traditions): Hektor, Historical and mythological (Grecolatin and foreign traditions): Hektor,

Horazio, Ziro. They have been phonetically adapted.Horazio, Ziro. They have been phonetically adapted.7.7. Short colloquial forms. (Pello, Patxi, Beñat)Short colloquial forms. (Pello, Patxi, Beñat)8.8. Foreign names adapted to the Basque language: Katalina, Alexandra Foreign names adapted to the Basque language: Katalina, Alexandra

Page 5: Basque Names

• Basque names are usually different for men and women but sometimes we Basque names are usually different for men and women but sometimes we have pairs of similar names with the –a ending for women:Bizente/Bizenta, have pairs of similar names with the –a ending for women:Bizente/Bizenta, Joanes/Joana.Joanes/Joana.

• Names ending in consonant, --i, --o, --u usually belong to men:Haritz, IbaiNames ending in consonant, --i, --o, --u usually belong to men:Haritz, Ibai

• Names ending in –a, --e and all those related to shrines belong to women: Names ending in –a, --e and all those related to shrines belong to women: Iluntze, LoiolaIluntze, Loiola

Page 6: Basque Names
Page 7: Basque Names

Where do our names Where do our names come from?come from?

•Endika:Endika: It is a Basque name, in It is a Basque name, in Spanish it means Enrique (Henry). It Spanish it means Enrique (Henry). It is a man´s name which has German is a man´s name which has German origin, it comes from Henry. Its day is origin, it comes from Henry. Its day is the 13th of July because it is San the 13th of July because it is San Enrique´s day.Enrique´s day.

Page 8: Basque Names

• Iñaki:Iñaki: It is a Basque name, Ignacio in It is a Basque name, Ignacio in Spanish. It is a man´s name which has Spanish. It is a man´s name which has Latin origin. Its day is the 31th of July, Latin origin. Its day is the 31th of July, because it is San Ignacio´s day. “Ignatius” because it is San Ignacio´s day. “Ignatius” comes from Etruscan “Egnatius” and it is comes from Etruscan “Egnatius” and it is connected with “ignis” (fire, flame). Iñaki connected with “ignis” (fire, flame). Iñaki is another variation proposed by Sabino is another variation proposed by Sabino Arana (politician,founder of the Basque Arana (politician,founder of the Basque Nationalist Party. He also wrote a well-Nationalist Party. He also wrote a well-known Dictionary of Basque Names) Those known Dictionary of Basque Names) Those names were forbidden in 1938 as they names were forbidden in 1938 as they were considered to be separatist, against were considered to be separatist, against the Spanish naming system.the Spanish naming system.

Page 9: Basque Names

•Xabier:Xabier: It is a Basque name, Javier It is a Basque name, Javier in Spanish . It is a man´s name. In in Spanish . It is a man´s name. In

Basque it means “new house”.Basque it means “new house”.

Page 10: Basque Names

• Edurne:Edurne: It is a Basque name, Nieves It is a Basque name, Nieves (snow) in Spanish . It is a woman´s name (snow) in Spanish . It is a woman´s name which comes from “edur”, a dialectal which comes from “edur”, a dialectal variation of “elurra” (snow) and also it is variation of “elurra” (snow) and also it is the name of the Virgin's shrine homonym. the name of the Virgin's shrine homonym. Her day is the 5th of August, because it is Her day is the 5th of August, because it is the day of our Lady of the Snows. This the day of our Lady of the Snows. This name appeared in Sabino Arana´s Names name appeared in Sabino Arana´s Names Collection with the –ne ending for womenCollection with the –ne ending for women´s names he introduced. ´s names he introduced.

Page 11: Basque Names

• María:María: It is a Hebrew name, also it is the It is a Hebrew name, also it is the name of the Catholic Virgin. It is a womanname of the Catholic Virgin. It is a woman´s name. This person´s name is the chosen ´s name. This person´s name is the chosen by God, she is loved by God. It is a very by God, she is loved by God. It is a very popular name in the Catholic religion.For popular name in the Catholic religion.For many years during the Dictatorship it was many years during the Dictatorship it was only possible to have a traditional Basque only possible to have a traditional Basque name preceded by Marianame preceded by Maria

Page 12: Basque Names

AuroraAurora: It means dawn; it´s a Spanish : It means dawn; it´s a Spanish word.This name in Basque is word.This name in Basque is Goizane. Goizane.

AmaiurAmaiur: It’s a village of Baztan. There : It’s a village of Baztan. There was a castle there where people from was a castle there where people from Nafarroa fought for their king.Nafarroa fought for their king.

OianeOiane: It means jungle. : It means jungle.

Page 13: Basque Names

Spanish or Basque Spanish or Basque namesnames

• Most of our names are Basque Most of our names are Basque names, like Endika, Iñaki, Edurne and names, like Endika, Iñaki, Edurne and

Xabier. But their origin is foreign. Xabier. But their origin is foreign. Latin, German…Latin, German…

• María isn´t Spanish or Basque.It is María isn´t Spanish or Basque.It is Hebrew. But a lot of people in the Hebrew. But a lot of people in the

world have that name.world have that name.

Page 14: Basque Names

The most popular Basque names are The most popular Basque names are IkerIker for boys and for boys and AneAne for girls. for girls.According to statistics, the most According to statistics, the most

common ones are:common ones are:

Page 15: Basque Names

• BoysBoys 1. Iker1. Iker

2. Jon2. Jon3. Unai3. Unai4. Asier4. Asier5. Ander5. Ander6. Mikel6. Mikel7. Eneko7. Eneko8. Aimar8. Aimar9. Aitor9. Aitor10. Oier10. Oier

11. Markel11. Markel12. Ibai12. Ibai

13. Julen13. Julen14. Xabier14. Xabier15. Unax15. Unax

Page 16: Basque Names

• GirlsGirls 1. Ane1. Ane

2. Irati2. Irati3. Leire3. Leire4. Naroa4. Naroa5. Paula5. Paula6. Nerea6. Nerea7. Uxue7. Uxue8. Izaro8. Izaro9. June9. June

10. Lucia10. Lucia11. Nahia11. Nahia12. Maria12. Maria13. Naia13. Naia

14. Maialen14. Maialen15. Maider 15. Maider

Page 17: Basque Names
Page 18: Basque Names

Our favourite Basque namesOur favourite Basque names

• For girls:For girls:• Onintza, Miren, Irati, Estitxu, Leire, Arrate, Onintza, Miren, Irati, Estitxu, Leire, Arrate,

Garazi, Amaia, Uxue, Edurne, Nerea, Garazi, Amaia, Uxue, Edurne, Nerea, Amaiur, Itsaso, Oihane, Usoa, Jone, Amaiur, Itsaso, Oihane, Usoa, Jone, Larraitz, Enara, Nora, Amets, Haizea…Larraitz, Enara, Nora, Amets, Haizea…

• For boys:For boys:• Enaitz, Endika, Asier, Mikel, Hodei, Egoitz, Enaitz, Endika, Asier, Mikel, Hodei, Egoitz,

Aitor, Ekaitz, Iker, Jon, Aingeru, Ander, Aitor, Ekaitz, Iker, Jon, Aingeru, Ander, Gaizka, Garikoitz, Aiert, Oier, Bikendi, Gaizka, Garikoitz, Aiert, Oier, Bikendi, Iñaki…Iñaki…

Page 19: Basque Names

The most used names in The most used names in Basque CountryBasque Country

Page 20: Basque Names

• In the Basque Country it´s very common In the Basque Country it´s very common to use Basque names.Some years ago to use Basque names.Some years ago they were forbidden. The last years, that they were forbidden. The last years, that tradition has also started as fashionable in tradition has also started as fashionable in some other places all over the country some other places all over the country (Spain). In the Basque Country the most (Spain). In the Basque Country the most used names are :used names are :

• For girls: Ane, Leire, Irati and NereaFor girls: Ane, Leire, Irati and Nerea

• For boys: Iker, Jon, Mikel and UnaiFor boys: Iker, Jon, Mikel and Unai

Page 21: Basque Names

• In Spain the most used Basque names are:In Spain the most used Basque names are:

• For girls: Miren, Nerea, Amaia and ArrateFor girls: Miren, Nerea, Amaia and Arrate

• For boys: Eneko, Unai, Mikel and Jon AnderFor boys: Eneko, Unai, Mikel and Jon Ander

• There are more names that are from other There are more names that are from other countries and we use a lot here, because countries and we use a lot here, because we think that they are “exotic”. For we think that they are “exotic”. For example Arabian names:example Arabian names:

• Eyassi, Yasmina, Dana…Eyassi, Yasmina, Dana…

Page 22: Basque Names

OUR FAMILY RESEARCH AND OPINIONS

In Spain and in the Basque Country our way to choose names is the same.Some years ago parents used traditional family names, especially for the oldest son (his father´s or grandfather´s name for generations).The name of the saint of the day a baby was born was also a custom in all families. Nowadays religion isn´t very important for names, so Basque tradition gets more important. Also the meaning of a name and the sound of it.

Page 23: Basque Names

BY: Nerea Jenni Amaia Arrate A. Miren

-Jenni

Inma

Javi

Milagros

Miguel

Vicenta

Ramón

-ArratePili

Joaquin

Maria Dolores

Donato

Maria

Francisco

Grandparents

Page 24: Basque Names

-Miren

Edurne

Luis Angel

Pili

Angel

DoloresGregorio

Marita

-Amaia

Delfina

Jon

Angel

Emilia

Esteban

Felisa

-Nerea

Itziar

Manuel

Vicente

Bonifacio

Carmen

-Asier-Mikel

Miren

Julen

Page 25: Basque Names

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

We can easily see that the names our We can easily see that the names our ancestors used are very different from our ancestors used are very different from our own names. They were more related to own names. They were more related to religion and Spanish traditions. In our religion and Spanish traditions. In our generation all names are Basque. The generation all names are Basque. The others are now out of fashion and if we others are now out of fashion and if we hear them we would know they belong to hear them we would know they belong to “old people”.“old people”.

Page 26: Basque Names

The change can be seen in our parentsThe change can be seen in our parents´names: Itziar/Edurne/Jon are Basque, but ´names: Itziar/Edurne/Jon are Basque, but very traditional old Basque names. Our very traditional old Basque names. Our names are both Basque traditional and names are both Basque traditional and “modern” Basque names.“modern” Basque names.Names can also be associated to migration. Names can also be associated to migration. People going to other places either keep People going to other places either keep their own names or accept the new ones in their own names or accept the new ones in the new place.Miren´s grandparents came the new place.Miren´s grandparents came from Miranda (in a nearby province) and from Miranda (in a nearby province) and Jenni´s grandmother came from Morocco. Jenni´s grandmother came from Morocco. In both cases they were looking for better In both cases they were looking for better jobs and their origin can´t be traced in jobs and their origin can´t be traced in their children or grandchildren´s namestheir children or grandchildren´s names

Page 27: Basque Names

Some fashionable names come from TV or Some fashionable names come from TV or the world of stars and celebrities (Jenni). the world of stars and celebrities (Jenni). This means we live in one big single world.This means we live in one big single world.

It is clear we can be recognised as It is clear we can be recognised as belonging to our place just when we say belonging to our place just when we say our names but we also belong to an age our names but we also belong to an age range. Names are personal and at the range. Names are personal and at the same time a reflection of our time.same time a reflection of our time.

Page 28: Basque Names

Nowadays the names that we all use are of Nowadays the names that we all use are of Basque origin for various reasons: we are Basque origin for various reasons: we are not as religious as our parents and not as religious as our parents and grandparents used to be, we are more grandparents used to be, we are more conscious of our Basque roots and we conscious of our Basque roots and we watch TV and get in touch with other watch TV and get in touch with other different people and other fashionable different people and other fashionable names. All students´names are Basque names. All students´names are Basque and we are proud of this change of and we are proud of this change of attitude. We are looking forward to attitude. We are looking forward to meeting our email partners and speak meeting our email partners and speak about our names. Sure it will be very about our names. Sure it will be very interestinginteresting !!. !!.