The Four Names of Balinese

First time I’ve come to Bali is in year of 1998 when my parents live in. It was a week vacation. I have a new friend name Wayan. After about three days, my parents introduce me to another man, also name Wayan. Ok, it’s just unintentionally happened. In my fifth day, I rent a bike near my parent’s house. What surprising me is the man who own the bicycles rental also name Wayan. There’s must be something to explain this situation, I think. Then I ask the last Wayan I’ve meet, why a lot of Wayan in Bali? Then he explains to me about Balinese name which make I met a lot of Wayan here.

Balinese have their unique names. They usually name their children sorted by their age.

1. Wayan / Putu, is a name Balinese gave to their first child. Wayan derive from traditional language “Wahayan”, mean “the oldest”.
2. Made / Kadek, for the second child, derived from “Madya”, mean “the middle”.
3. Nyoman / Komang, for the third child, mean “the youngest”.
4. Ketut, for the fourth child, derived from words “kitut” mean "tail" in Balinese language.

If a family have more than four children, then they repeat the order from first again with Balik after name.

So if you come to Bali someday or meet Balinese people around. Don’t be surprised if you much people with names the same. It’s Balinese culture!