Lao Names

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lao names go in Western order, where the family name goes after the first given name.

Both first and surname is 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 names are known for.

On official document, 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 = specificly means, comes from the lineage of the King, miss translation is just mere bloodline, lineage, or ancestry, is incorrect...
Syha = Leo, Lion, from the Sanskrit word Singh
Chan/Jan/Tiane (Lao ຈັນ)= Moon. Three common translation, Tiane being an early French translation. Hence: Vientiane
Dao = Star.
Saeng = Light.
Pha/Phra = Various meanings. It could translate into English as "Holy". It is a word that give a more divine definition to any word used after it.
Kham, a comment precourser to Lao names, means something precious. Raja = sancrit for King, or "one that conquers"