Indian names with "Neil" as a nickname?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Nabanil ("a new, clear blue sky")
Neal ("champion")
Neehal ("new")
Nelith ("personification of law")
Nihal ("satisfied, contented, happy")
Nilan ("moon, handsome")
Nilavalagan ("handsome, moon")
Nilavan ("moon, handsome")
Nilmitra ("blue")
Nithilan ("brilliant like a pearl ")

Why do South Asian families and living in the US always name their children ethnic names like the above, but East Asian families usually name their kids typical American names? Sincerely curious White American here.

Are you seriously asking why people from two different cultures on different sides of the same continent don’t practice the same naming traditions?

Exactly. Why don't the Scots use the same naming conventions as Russians? Same thing.

I don’t think it’s a crazy question. Haven’t you noticed that Korean- Americans and Chinese Americans are often named typical white names and Indian Americans usually have Indian names (unless they are Christian)?

I’ve noticed the name thing too. I’m guessing it’s because as a whole, East Asians assimilate more to white American culture than Indian Americans do.

I am married to a South Asian and I cringe when his friends tells us the Indian American kids name. It's almost always very hard to pronounce. I grew up here and my parents gave me a hard to pronounce name. We named our son something very easy.

I don't actually believe you are married to a South Asian. What are the names people have been using? Are they more difficult than Ekaterina, Aoife, Dieter, Clement (French pronunciation), Johannes, Vahan, Bronwyn? This whole argument is ridiculous.

Total aside but I love all these names above!! Excepting maybe Bronwyn

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm Indian, the only Neils I know are named Neil or Neal (and I know a LOT of them).

I know an Anil, but he goes by Anil. I know a Sunil, but he goes by Sunil.

Same. Just name him Neil. Done

[Anonymous]

Why do South Asian families and living in the US always name their children ethnic names like the above, but East Asian families usually name their kids typical American names? Sincerely curious White American here.


It’s very common for East Asians to have an American first name and Asian middle name. My parents said they tried to pick popular names so we’d fit in, but there weren’t many American names that they actually liked.

I haven’t asked my South Asian friends why their parents didn’t follow the East Asian American naming convention, but my guess is that it reflects their more insular culture. I’ve often heard my Indian friends joke about how Indians all know each other. With that kind of community, there’s a good reason to give your kids the names you like. I didn’t have many Asian friends when I was a kid, and as an adult, I’ve had to work to build an Asian community. None of my Indian friends can relate to that.