As you all know, we Indians had no books; our history and traditions
were orally preserved. The pictograph cut into a rock or tree, or
painted upon a buffalo-skin tent, was our only record of current or past
events. Moreover, we had no family names, so that a boy's name did not
indicate his parentage. Under such circumstances, one should have a
striking cognomen in order to be readily identified.
The Sioux had three classes of names; first, birth names; second, honor
or public names; third, nicknames. The first indicated the order in
which children were born into the family; as "Chaskay," first-born son,
"Wenonah," first-born daughter, and so on to the fifth child, who was
presumed to be the last. There were a few who carried this childhood
name through life.
The nickname usually records some humorous act or odd characteristic of
the boy or man. It is seldom a flattering one. There is an imaginary
Indian personage called "Wink'tah," who is supposed to be ever on the
watch for an excuse to coin a ridiculous or insinuating name, and such a
one will travel like a prairie fire before its owner is aware of it.
It has been written by white men that an Indian child is called after
the first noticeable thing its mother sees after its birth. This is not
so as a rule, though it is possible such cases may have occurred. Again,
it has been declared that some event occurring near the child's birth
establishes its name. This occasionally happens, but only when the event
is of unusual importance.
The child's "honor name" is properly conferred by the clan medicine-man
at a public ceremony, some time after the child is able to walk. Such an
Indian christening is announced by the herald, a feast made, and gifts
presented to the poor of the tribe, in honor of the occasion. These
needy old people in their turn go away singing the praises of the child
by his new name.
Such a name usually indicates the distinguishing character or famous
deeds of the boy's ancestors, and its bearer is expected to live up to,
defend, and pass it on, unstained. Through this ancient custom, he is
early recognized by his tribe, impressed with a sense of his personal
responsibility, and inspired with the ambition to be worthy of his
ancestry. By giving away their property to those in want, his parents
intend to teach him love and good-will toward his fellow-men. But if,
when he grows up, the boy fails to sustain his honor name, he is no
longer called by it.
If he does not fail, but on the other hand performs some special deed of
valor, or wins some distinguished honor on his own account, he may later
be given a special "deed name," and the conferring of such was at one
time strictly guarded among the Sioux. Our unwritten book of "Who's Who"
is composed of just such heroes.
The deed name is generally given by the war chief, and such naming is
not accompanied by gifts. A deed requiring great physical courage is
often celebrated by giving the name of some fear-inspiring animal, such
as Bear or Buffalo, or one of the nobler bird names--those of Eagle,
Hawk, and Owl. The character of the exploit, calling for special
strength, swiftness, agility, or endurance, helps to determine the name
chosen, or adds a qualifying word descriptive of some poetic or
picturesque quality in the action. Examples are "Charging Eagle" and
"Conquering Bear."
Not only bird and animal names, but those of the elements, are commonly
used to express temperament. The rash, impetuous man may be called
"Storm," or "Whirlwind." Loftiness and beauty of character is indicated
by a name including the word "sky," or "cloud," such as "Red Cloud,"
"Touch-the-Cloud," "Blue Sky," or "Hole-in-the-Day," all names of
well-known chiefs. Sometimes the idea of bravery or swiftness conveyed
by the name of animal or bird is combined with another suggestive of
dignity, sacredness, mystery, or magic; as, for example, "Thunder Bear,"
or "Spirit Buffalo."
The highest type of brave deed name is represented by "Thunder," or
"Lightning," in one of its many variations. "Crazy Bull" and "Crazy
Horse" stand for utter fearlessness and unconsciousness of danger,
rather than madness. Resourcefulness, generosity, and productiveness are
expressed in the name of "Earth" with some of its poetic attributes.
"Fire" represents daring and war-like qualities. Colors are used in a
purely symbolic sense, thus redeeming from any touch of absurdity such
names as "Red Wolf" and "Black Eagle."
Many Indian names have been roughly handled in translation by illiterate
persons, such as were most of the early interpreters. The raven was a
dignified bird which disappeared with the buffalo, but its name is
generally mistranslated as crow. The Sioux call the crow the "scolding
grandmother," and use its name only as a satirical jest. The famous
chief known as "Young-man-afraid-of-his-Horses," was really called
"Man-whose-Horse-is-feared" (by the enemy).
An instance of the highly poetic and figurative name is that of
"Wee-yo-tank-ah-loo-tah." Literally translated, it means "He who in his
usual home-going pauses upon an eminence glowing with scarlet light."
The reference is to the Sun, who, at the close of his day's journey
across the prairies of the sky, apparently rests for a moment upon his
gorgeous seat at the verge of the horizon. He who bears that name needs
no introduction; its beauty is eloquence enough.
Here are some honor names for Boy Scouts.
Wam-blee'-skah. White Eagle.
Ta-tonk'-ah-sap'-ah. Black Buffalo.
Mah-to'-skah. White Bear.
Chay-ton'-ho-tah. Gray Falcon.
Chay-ton'-wah-koo'-wah. Charging Falcon.
Kan-gee'-loo-tah. Red Raven.
Kan-gee'-wah-kan. Sacred Raven.
Mah-kah'-skah. White Earth.
Mah-pee'-yah-to. Blue Sky.
Mah-pee'-yah-loo'-tah. Red Sky (or Cloud).
Wah-kan'-glee-o'-ta. Many Lightnings.
Tah-tay'-an-pah. Wind, or Storm.
O-han'-zee. Shadow (Comforting).
Pay'-tah. Fire.
Tah-wah'-soo-o'-ta. His Hailstorm (Forcible, or Impetuous).
We-hin'-ah-pay. Rising Sun.
We'-e-yah-yah. Setting Sun.
Ah-kee'-chee-tah. Soldier.
O-hit'-e-kah. Brave.
Wan'-ah-ton. Charger.
O'-tak-tay. Kills or Strikes Many.
Tee-tonk'-ah. Big Lodge.
Chank-oo'-wash-tay. Good Road.
Nah-pay'-shnee. He does not flee (Courageous).
E'-nap-ay. Comes Out (Appears Bravely).
Wah-chin'-tonk-ah. Patient.
Wah-chink'-sap-ah. Wise, Clear-headed.
Tah-ko'-dah. Friend to them all.
O-dah'-ko-tah. Friendly.
Tah-o'-han-o'-tah. His Many Good Deeds.
Tah-wah'-hink-pay-o'-tah. His Many Arrows (Resourceful).
Ko-han'-nah. Swift.
O'-gal-lee-shah. Red Shirt.
Ho'-wah-kan. Mysterious Voice.
Wah-nah'-gee-skah. White Spirit.
Wah-nee'-kee-yah. Savior.
Wah-hah'-chank-ah. Shield.