Javanese names () refers to the personal names used by individuals (primarily Javanese people) originally from the island of Java, and parts of the world (by the diaspora). Javanese names reflects the rich cultural, linguistic, and historical heritage of the Javanese people, the largest ethnic group in Southeast Asia, who traced their ultimate ancestral origin to the island of Java. These names are deeply rooted in a combination of indigenous Javanese cultural traditions, but to some extent, also drawn from foreign religious influences or elements. The structure, meaning, and use of Javanese names have evolved over centuries, yet many traditional patterns still endure.
Structure
Traditionally, the Javanese people did not use
surnames or
family names. Instead, individuals were often known by a single
given name, though multiple names (without a fixed surname) were not uncommon. In modern times, due to administrative and bureaucratic needs, many Javanese adopt two or more names, and some have adopted the use of surnames for specific lineage recognition.
Single name
Many traditional names consist of just one name, such as
Sukarno (Indonesia's first president),
Suharto (Indonesia's second president), or
Kartini (Indonesia's female national hero). These are complete identifiers within Javanese society.
Multiple name
More complex naming structures may include two or more elements, such as Raden Mas Said or Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX. These elements may indicate nobility, titles, or personal attributes.
Social class
Royal and Aristocratic Naming (Pranata Jeneng)
The Javanese aristocracy (especially within the courts of Yogyakarta and Surakarta) uses elaborate names that may include:
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Titles: such as Raden, Mas, Gusti, Kanjeng
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Honorifics and given names: such as Raden Ajeng Kartini or Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono
These names may denote status, honor, and lineage, and are often bestowed in ceremonies.
Commoner Naming
Names among the commoners group are usually shorter and simpler, often drawn from Javanese vocabulary describing virtues, animals, nature, or aspirations.
Birth order or day
The Javanese have unique systems for naming based on birth order or day of birth:
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Birth order: Names like Eko (first), Dwi (second), Tri (third), Catur (fourth)
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Notes: This type of personal nomenclature system still retained in Balinese names
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Wetonan (Javanese calendar): Names may be given based on a person's weton or spiritual birthday using a combination of the five-day Pasaran cycle and the seven-day week.
Linguistic
Javanese names traditionally derived from
Old Javanese, a native naming system that are still preserved within the community. However, personal names derived from another languages might also apparent, mainly due to religious adherence. The
Sanskrit-based names usually rooted or drawn from the Javanese Hinduism religiousity, the
Persian names and Semitic (
Arabic names/
Aramaic)-based names are commonly used by the Javanese Muslims, meanwhile European (mainly
Dutch names and
Spanish names/
Portuguese names)-based names are used by the Javanese Christians.
Native (Javanese and Old Javanese)
Some native Javanese names might include:
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Male names: Agus, Agung (), Ageng (), Anang, Awang, Bagas, Bagus (), Bambang, Buyung, Dadang, Danang, Demang, Gading (), Ganang, Gesang, Gilang, Gumelar, Gumilang, Gumintang, Guntur, Guruh, Jago (), Jajang, Kaisang, Kaesang, Kakang, Lanang (), Legimin (), Lantang (), Lintang (), Nanang, Paijo, Pamungkas (), Pangarep (), Parman, Parmin, Pawang, Ragil (), Sugimin (), Sukir (), Sunan, Tatang, Tenang, Untung (), Tugimin, Tumadang, Ujang, Yanto
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Female names: Ajeng, Anggrek (), Anggun (), Ayu (), Bunga (), Dayang, Hanum, Intan (), Kembang (), Lestari, Lintang, Ningsih, Ning, Nusa (), Rahajeng, Rahayu, Sartika, Tinem, Tukiyem, Wulan (), Yanti, Wuri ()
Persian and Semitic-based names
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Male names: Abdi, Abdul, Abdoel, Adam, Ahmad, Ardi, Ardie, Arif, Arief, Arifin, Ariefin, Baim, Bakri, Bakrie, David, Daud, Faris, Farisi (), Fikri (), Haris, Hasim, Iskandar, Jamil, Jamiel, Jauhar, Jihad, Kadir, Kandar, Lutfi, Mail, Musa, Muhammad, Muhamad, Mohammad, Mohamad, Mochamad, Naufal, Nur, Rachmat, Rahmat, Reza, Riski, Risky, Rizal, Rizqi, Rizky, Rochim, Rohim, Rochmat, Rohmat, Roziqin, Slamet, Sarah, Soleh, Somad, Sultan, Sjarief, Sjarif, Syarif, Syarifudin, Tahir, Tohir, Taufik, Taufiek, Topik, Udin, Usman, Wahyu, Yusuf, Yosep
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Female names: Abel, Almas, Jamilah, Jamielah, Jihan, Lela, Lutfiah, Siti, Syarifah, Maryam, Noer, Nur, Nurul, Wahyuni
Sanskrit-based names
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Male names: Adi, Adhi, Aji, Angga, Arga, Arya, Atma, Atmaja, Atmojo, Bagyo, Bakti, Bayu (), Bejo, Budi, Cahyo, Candra, Cakra, Cokro, Dharma, Darmo, Dewa (), Dewo (), Eka, Eko, Guna, Guno, Handoko, Handoyo, Jaka, Jiwo, Joko, Jaya, Joyo, Karno, Kasturi, Putra, Putro, Sentosa, Santoso, Surya, Suryo, Susilo, Teja, Tejo, Tri, Purnomo, Kurnia, Kusuma, Kusumo, Raja (), Utomo, Wan, Wawan, Widodo, Wiro, Yudho, Yono
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Female names: Agya, Aryani, Citra, Dara, Dewi (), Dwi, Dyah, Eka, Gempita, Handayani, Indah, Ismaya, Juwita, Jelita, Kartika, Kesuma, Kirana, Kurnia, Kusuma, Mega, Melati (), Mutiara, Nirmala, Pitaloka, Putri, Puspa, Puspita, Ratna, Retno, Rani (), Raya, Dari, Sari, Sri, Sukma, Tri, Wati, Widya
Dutch-derived names
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Male names: Arie, Frengki, Hendrik, Herman (), Johan, Jos, Julius, Kenzo, Lukas, Marsel, Marselino, Martin, Melik, Nikolas, Niko, Petrus, Ruben, Tomas, Yohan, Yos, Yulianto, Yulius
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Female names: Agatha, Cantik (), Eve, Irene, Julia, Kezia, Laura, Lia, Linda, Natasya, Renata, Saskia (), Tiara, Tintje, Vera, Vita, Yasmin, Yulia, Yuni
Spanish/Portuguese-derived names
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Male names: Aldo, Fernando, Mario, Nando
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Female names: Fernanda, Gisela, Gladis, Maria, Marta, Lolita, Nanda, Tania
Modern usage and evolution
While traditional naming is still used and respected, modern Javanese parents tend to choose names that blend Javanese, Arabic, or Western influences. Urbanization and national integration have encouraged the use of two or three names and sometimes the adoption of family surnames, particularly for bureaucratic purposes.
Symbolism and philosophy
Names in Javanese tradition are believed to carry
Spirituality and moral weight. A name is not merely an identifier but a hope, prayer, or expression of the parents' aspirations. It may reflect values such as bravery (Wani), wisdom (Wijaya), or peace (Santosa).
Javanese-Suriname People Names
Suriname Javanese people usually used Western (mostly Dutch) given names, and Javanese surnames, many of which are archaic in Java itself. The examples of Suriname Javanese surnames are Atmodikoro, Bandjar, Dasai, Hardjoprajitno, Irodikromo, Kromowidjojo, Moestadja, Pawironadi, Redjosentono, Somohardjo, etc.
Javanese Tondano (Jaton) Names
Other Javanese communities who have surnames are the Jatons (Jawa Tondano/Tondano Javanese), descendants of Prince Diponegoro's followers exiled to North Sulawesi. Some of their surnames are Arbi, Baderan, Djoyosuroto, Guret, Kiaidemak, Modjo, Ngurawan, Pulukadang, Suratinoyo, Wonopati, Zees, etc.
See also
