New Post
Search
Help
ArchivesRe: Are these names actually used in India?
in reply to a message by Telfalathiel
Kali is quite common as a bengali male name, usually shortened from Kalicharana, Kaliprasanna, Kalikinkar, and a host of others. I have not heard it as a modern female name in India, though Kali is quite common for women outside India (though I do not know the etymology of non-Indian Kali).
1
Replies
The reason for Kali not being a popular name might be that it depicts a furious form of goddess Durga. Besides Kali means black (female)which sounds offensive as a name. These both qualities go against what one expects from a female. In India, fair-complexioned females are preferred over dark ones. However, in rural areas names like Kali can be found but sophisticated families would rather spare that name. The state where I reside, i.e., Rajasthan, a girl called Kali Bai sacrificed her life to save the life of her teacher and perhaps an award in her memory is being given to students.
Another thing which everybody here seemed to forget is that Kali with a different pronunciation also means flower bud in Hindi and perhaps Urdu as well which sounds beautiful as a name. It is said that there used to be a courtesan called Anarkali (Pomegranate bud) in Mughal Emperor Akbar's court whom his son Salim fell in love with. Names like Champakali ( Plumeria bud ) can also be heard amongst rustic names.
Another thing which everybody here seemed to forget is that Kali with a different pronunciation also means flower bud in Hindi and perhaps Urdu as well which sounds beautiful as a name. It is said that there used to be a courtesan called Anarkali (Pomegranate bud) in Mughal Emperor Akbar's court whom his son Salim fell in love with. Names like Champakali ( Plumeria bud ) can also be heard amongst rustic names.
This message was edited 9/24/2009, 10:14 PM
1
Re:Kali as "flower bud"
Could you please explain what the difference is in the pronunciation of the name of the goddess vs. the word for "flower bud"?
Could you please explain what the difference is in the pronunciation of the name of the goddess vs. the word for "flower bud"?
This message was edited 9/25/2009, 6:14 AM
1
Re:Kali as "flower bud"
I think the respectable visitor who responded to the OP first of all could explain it better. However, the difference of pronunciation lies in the vowel "a" in the spelling of both words. In the name of goddess Kali, "a" is pronounced as long vowel "aa," while in the name of flower bud, it is pronounced as short vowel "a" and the word sounds like "cully."
I think the respectable visitor who responded to the OP first of all could explain it better. However, the difference of pronunciation lies in the vowel "a" in the spelling of both words. In the name of goddess Kali, "a" is pronounced as long vowel "aa," while in the name of flower bud, it is pronounced as short vowel "a" and the word sounds like "cully."
1
Re:Kali as "flower bud"
The name of the goddess, the colour black, time, etc is the word with a long open back unrounded vowel, though length has disappeared in some modern Indian languages. The dice (losing dice), disaster, the epoch in which sin dominates, seed (from which dice is made), bud, etc. uses a short open-mid to close-mid vowel (the exact position depends on the language) which is central unrounded to back rounded depending on the language. In a large tract, it is mid central unrounded schwa.
In languages with a marked length, the name of the goddess has a long I, whereas the bud has a short i.
The etymology of this group of words, and their exact relation to each other is not very clear.
The name of the goddess, the colour black, time, etc is the word with a long open back unrounded vowel, though length has disappeared in some modern Indian languages. The dice (losing dice), disaster, the epoch in which sin dominates, seed (from which dice is made), bud, etc. uses a short open-mid to close-mid vowel (the exact position depends on the language) which is central unrounded to back rounded depending on the language. In a large tract, it is mid central unrounded schwa.
In languages with a marked length, the name of the goddess has a long I, whereas the bud has a short i.
The etymology of this group of words, and their exact relation to each other is not very clear.
1
Re:Kali as "flower bud"
Thanks! I tried to tell about the word Kali (bud) in Hindi.
Thanks! I tried to tell about the word Kali (bud) in Hindi.
This message was edited 10/12/2009, 8:02 PM
1
Thank you!
1
There are probably a few American women named Kali whose parents have taken the name from the Hindu goddess. However, in my experience the huge majority of American parents who have named daughters "Kali" are using this as an alternative spelling for Callie or Kaylee, and probably had no idea they were accidentally using the same spelling as that of the Hindu goddess of destruction.
I actually have a student named Kali in one of my classes right now, an American girl with no Indian ancestry who pronounces it "Callie".
I actually have a student named Kali in one of my classes right now, an American girl with no Indian ancestry who pronounces it "Callie".
This message was edited 9/24/2009, 8:01 AM
1