Naming Grandsons in ANE

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>From Dr. Kalyanaraman's webpage:

http://sarasvati.simplenet.com/contacts/mitanni.htm

 

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In the ancient Near East, the custom was to name

(first-born?) children after their grandparents.

This custom is also well-known in ancient India.

In Tamil language, pe_ran- (lit. the one having

the same name) means a grandson. (Ignace

J. Gelb, 1944, Hurrians and Subarians, Studies

in Ancient Oriental Civilization No. 22,

Illinois, University of Chicago Press, p. 79).

>>>

 

Dear Dr. Kalyanaraman & List,

 

The grandsons are called pEran and granddaughters

are pEtti. Both mean 'name-carrier's.

In inscriptions (some 30-35 % of Indian inscriptions

discovered are Chola), these are used to fix

the identity of kings. In sangam and later times,

vAnavaramban and imayavaramban alternate for

Chera kings, Rajakesari and Parakesari alternate

for Chola kings and so on.

 

Any additinal info, details on this naming custom

in ancient Near East (Sumeria)? What are I. J. Gelb's

exact words? Many thanks.

 

There is a reason behind Tamils not naming their

sons with their own names. That's why grandsons

(pErans) are name(heritage)-carriers. For example,

George W. Bush, the present USA President, has identical

name as his father. This cannot be in S. India,

because wives are not supposed to call husbands

by name. Kalidasa is the first one to employ this

in Sanskrit literature.

 

Regards,

N. Ganesan