Javanese name


Javanese names refers to the personal names used by individuals originally from the Indonesian island of Java, and parts of the world. Javanese names reflect the rich cultural, linguistic, and historical heritage of the Javanese people, the largest ethnic group in Southeast Asia, who traced their ultimate ancestral origin to the island of Java. These names are deeply rooted in a combination of indigenous Javanese cultural traditions, but to some extent, also draw from foreign religious influences or elements. The structure, meaning, and use of Javanese names have evolved over centuries, yet many traditional patterns still endure.

Structure

Traditionally, the Javanese people did not use surnames or family names. Instead, individuals were often known by a single given name, though multiple names were not uncommon. In modern times, due to administrative and bureaucratic needs, many Javanese adopt two or more names, and some have adopted the use of surnames for specific lineage recognition.

Single name

Many traditional names consist of just one name, such as Sukarno, Suharto, or Kartini. These are complete identifiers within Javanese society.

Multiple name

More complex naming structures may include two or more elements, such as Raden Mas Said or Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX. These elements may indicate nobility, titles, or personal attributes.

Social class

Royal and Aristocratic Naming ()

The Javanese aristocracy uses elaborate names that may include:
These names may denote status, honor, and lineage, and are often bestowed in ceremonies.

Commoner Naming

Names among the commoners group are usually shorter and simpler, often drawn from Javanese vocabulary describing virtues, animals, nature, or aspirations.

Birth order or day

The Javanese have unique systems for naming based on birth order or day of birth:
  • Birth order: Names like Eko, Dwi, Tri, Catur
  • *Notes: This type of personal nomenclature system still retained in Balinese names
  • Wetonan : Names may be given based on a person's weton or spiritual birthday using a combination of the five-day Pasaran cycle and the seven-day week.

    Linguistic

Javanese names traditionally derived from Old Javanese, a native naming system that are still preserved within the community. However, personal names derived from another languages might also apparent, mainly due to religious adherence. The Sanskrit-based names usually rooted or drawn from the Javanese Hinduism religiousity, the Persian and Semitic -based names are commonly used by the Javanese Muslims, meanwhile European -based names are used by the Javanese Christians.

Native (Javanese and Old Javanese)

Some native Javanese names might include:
  • Male names: Agus, Agung, Ageng, Anang, Awang, Bagas, Bagus, Bambang, Buyung, Dadang, Danang, Demang, Gading, Ganang, Gesang, Gilang, Gumelar, Gumilang, Gumintang, Guntur, Guruh, Jago, Jajang, Kaisang, Kaesang, Kakang, Lanang, Legimin, Lantang, Lintang, Nanang, Paijo, Pamungkas, Pangarep, Parman, Parmin, Pawang, Ragil, Sugimin, Sukir, Sunan, Tatang, Tenang, Untung, Tugimin, Tumadang, Ujang, Yanto
  • Female names: Ajeng, Anggrek, Anggun, Ayu, Bunga, Dayang, Hanum, Intan, Kembang, Lestari, Lintang, Ningsih, Ning, Nusa, Rahajeng, Rahayu, Sartika, Tinem, Tukiyem, Wulan, Yanti, Wuri

    Persian and Semitic-based names

  • Male names: Abdi, Abdul, Abdoel, Adam, Ahmad, Ardi, Ardie, Arif, Arief, Arifin, Ariefin, Baim, Bakri, Bakrie, David, Daud, Faris, Farisi, Fikri, Haris, Hasim, Iskandar, Jamil, Jamiel, Jauhar, Jihad, Kadir, Kandar, Lutfi, Mail, Musa, Muhammad, Muhamad, Mohammad, Mohamad, Mochamad, Naufal, Nur, Rachmat, Rahmat, Reza, Riski, Risky, Rizal, Rizqi, Rizky, Rochim, Rohim, Rochmat, Rohmat, Roziqin, Slamet, Sarah, Soleh, Somad, Sultan, Sjarief, Sjarif, Syarif, Syarifudin, Tahir, Tohir, Taufik, Taufiek, Topik, Udin, Usman, Wahyu, Yusuf, Yosep
  • Female names: Abel, Almas, Jamilah, Jamielah, Jihan, Lela, Lutfiah, Siti, Syarifah, Maryam, Noer, Nur, Nurul, Wahyuni

    Sanskrit-based names

  • Male names: Adi, Adhi, Aji, Angga, Arga, Arya, Atma, Atmaja, Atmojo, Bagyo, Bakti, Bayu, Bejo, Budi, Cahyo, Candra, Cakra, Cokro, Darma, Darmo, Dewa, Dewo, Eka, Eko, Guna, Guno, Handoko, Handoyo, Jaka, Jiwo, Joko, Jaya, Joyo, Karno, Kasturi, Putra, Putro, Sentosa, Santoso, Surya, Suryo, Susilo, Teja, Tejo, Tri, Purnomo, Kurnia, Kusuma, Kusumo, Raja, Utomo, Wan, Wawan, Widodo, Wiro, Yudho, Yono
  • Female names: Agya, Aryani, Citra, Dara, Dewi, Dwi, Dyah, Eka, Gempita, Handayani, Indah, Ismaya, Juwita, Jelita, Kartika, Kesuma, Kirana, Kurnia, Kusuma, Mega, Melati, Mutiara, Nirmala, Pitaloka, Putri, Puspa, Puspita, Ratna, Retno, Rani, Raya, Dari, Sari, Sri, Sukma, Tri, Wati, Widya

    Dutch-derived names

  • Male names: Arie, Frengki, Hendrik, Herman, Johan, Jos, Julius, Kenzo, Lukas, Marsel, Marselino, Martin, Melik, Nikolas, Niko, Petrus, Ruben, Tomas, Yohan, Yos, Yulianto, Yulius
  • Female names: Agatha, Cantik, Eva, Irene, Julia, Kezia, Laura, Lia, Linda, Natasya, Renata, Saskia, Tiara, Tintje, Vera, Vita, Yasmin, Yulia, Yuni

    Spanish/Portuguese-derived names

  • Male names: Aldo, Fernando, Mario, Nando
  • Female names: Fernanda, Gisela, Gladis, Maria, Marta, Lolita, Nanda, Tania

    Modern usage and evolution

While traditional naming is still used and respected, modern Javanese parents tend to choose names that blend Javanese, Arabic, or Western influences. Urbanization and national integration have encouraged the use of two or three names and sometimes the adoption of family surnames, particularly for bureaucratic purposes.

Symbolism and philosophy

Names in Javanese tradition are believed to carry spiritual and moral weight. A name is not merely an identifier but a hope, prayer, or expression of the parents' aspirations. It may reflect values such as bravery, wisdom, or peace.

Javanese-Suriname People Names

Suriname Javanese people usually used Western given names, and Javanese surnames, many of which are archaic in Java itself. The examples of Suriname Javanese surnames are Atmodikoro, Bandjar, Dasai, Hardjoprajitno, Irodikromo, Kromowidjojo, Moestadja, Pawironadi, Redjosentono, Somohardjo, etc.

Javanese Tondano (Jaton) Names

Other Javanese communities who have surnames are the Jatons, descendants of Prince Diponegoro's followers exiled to North Sulawesi. Some of their surnames are Arbi, Baderan, Djoyosuroto, Guret, Kiaidemak, Modjo, Ngurawan, Pulukadang, Suratinoyo, Wonopati, Zees, etc.