Lao name
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Lao names go in Western order, where the family name goes after the first given name.
It was the French colonial government that instituted the use of patronyms in Laos. A decree dated 28 July 1943 by the Governor general of Indochina created the obligation for every Lao person to use a surname, starting from 1 January 1944. In reality, the use of surnames was successfully introduced only among the educated urban middle class, while in rural areas their adoption was much slower. To this day, especially in the more remote areas and among certain ethnic minorities, one may encounter individuals without a surname.
Both first and surname are a mixture of Pali and Lao words. The wording comes from variety of influences. Nature, Animals, Royal titles for example. Lao names are generally made up of 2-3 words, but when translated into English span nearly 10-15 letters, which both Lao and Thai names are known for.
On official documents, only the first given name and surname are written. Lao People are known by friends and family by nick names. However, in the world of business, people are usually called by their first names, with various honorifics. Nick names are generally one worded names. The names are generally less poetic than official names.
[edit] Common words
Vong - Specifically means comes from the lineage of the King. Mistranslation as mere bloodline, lineage, or ancestry, is incorrect.
Syha - Leo, or lion, from the Sanskrit word Singh
Chanh/Jan/Tiane (Lao, ຈັນ) - Moon. Three common translation, Tiane being an early French translation. Hence: Vientiane
Dao - Star
Dara - Evening Star
Pha/Phra - Has various meanings. It could translate into English as holy. It is a word that gives a more divine definition to any word used after it.
Kham - Means gold, or, more generally, something precious. Commonly used in Lao names.
Raja - Sanskrit for king, or "one that conquers".
[edit] References
Thao Nhouy Abhay: Les noms de personnes, in Présence du Royaume Lao, France-Asie, Tome 12, 1956.
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