Matronymic facts for kids

A matronymic is a personal name or a family name that comes from the given name of a mother, grandmother, or any female ancestor. It is like a patronymic (a name from the father) but uses the mother's name instead. Around the world, matronymic family names are much less common than names based on the father's side.

In some cultures, matronymic last names were sometimes given to children whose parents were not married. Or, if a mother was very well-known or powerful, her children might take a name based on her. A matronymic is a name that is made from a mother's first name. This is different from a matriname, which is a family name that is simply inherited from the mother's side and doesn't change.

Understanding Matronymic Names

The word matronymic first appeared in English in 1794. It comes from the Greek word mētēr, which means "mother," and onyma, which means "name." So, it means "pertaining to the mother's name." This word was created to be the female version of patronymic, which means "pertaining to the father's name."

Sometimes, you might hear the shorter word metronym or metronymic used, which also comes directly from Greek. However, people often just say "female-line name" or "name of his/her mother" to be clearer and avoid technical terms.

Matronymics Around the World

Matronymic names have been used in different ways across many cultures and countries. Here are some examples:

Names from Mothers in Asia

• India: Some communities in India, like the Nairs, Bunts, and Khasi, have family names that are passed down from the mother. In Kerala, it's common for daughters to use their mother's name as part of their own.

• Indonesia: Some Minangkabau people use this naming system, though many people there don't have a surname at all. People on Enggano Island also use a matronymic system and have family names.

• Kyrgyzstan: In 2023, there was a discussion in Kyrgyzstan about allowing adults to use their mother's name on official documents instead of their father's name. However, this idea was later changed.

• Arabia: There are historical examples of matronymics in Arabic culture. For instance, a 9th-century book by Muḥammad ibn Ḥabīb studied poets who were named after their mothers.

• Mongolia: While most Mongolian names today come from the father's side, some Mongolians are known to have names from their mothers. This can happen, for example, if the father is not present, like in the case of Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat, who was the first elected president of Mongolia.

• Philippines: In the Philippines, children legally use their mother's family name (before she was married) as a middle name. If children are born to mothers who are not married, and the father doesn't legally claim them, they automatically use their mother’s family name as their own last name.

• Taiwan: Among the Amis people, a daughter's name is followed by her mother's name, while a son's name is followed by his father's name. Seediqs often get to choose which parent's name to use after their own.

• Vietnam: Some Vietnamese names also use the mother's family name as the child's middle name. This is more of a style or trend rather than a strict tradition.

Names from Mothers in Europe

• England: Many English matronyms were given to children whose parents were not married. But it was also common for children of married women to use a matronymic surname. For example, during the Middle Ages, children whose fathers passed away before they were born often used a matronym. Children might also take a matronym if the father's name was from another country, hard to say, or had an unusual meaning. If a mother was very strong-willed, her child might also take her name. Sometimes, it helped avoid confusion with a cousin or neighbor. Even royal families used matronymics to strengthen their claim to the English throne, like Empress Matilda's son, Henry FitzEmpress (where "-fitz" means "son of"). Common English matronyms include Madison, Beaton, Tiffany, and Marriott.

• Finland: In the old Finnish system, women usually received matronyms (like Ainontytär, meaning "Aino's daughter"), while men received patronyms (like Pekanpoika, meaning "Pekka's son"). However, since the 1800s, people have used inherited family names, and today almost all Finns have surnames passed down through generations.

• France: Family names that come from matronyms are found in France, especially in Normandy. Examples include Catherine, Marie, and Jeanne. In medieval Normandy, a matronym might be used if the mother was more important than the father or if her name was key to an inheritance claim, such as in the cases of Henry FitzEmpress and Robert FitzWimarc.

• Iceland: Some Icelandic people, like Heiðar Helguson, have matronyms. A famous example from Norse stories is Loki Laufeyjarson, who is named after his mother Laufey.

• Ireland and Wales: Matronymics appear in old Celtic stories, like the children of Dôn in the Mabinogi. For example, the famous mythological King of Ulster, Conchobar mac Nessa, is named after his mother Ness.

• Netherlands: Matronymics are allowed in the Netherlands but are usually written as given names on identity cards.

• Romania: Family names from matronyms are also found in Romania, especially in the region of Moldavia. Examples include Aioanei, Ababei, and Acatrinei.

• Serbia: While less common than names from fathers, matronymic surnames are found in Serbia and nearby countries. Examples include Katić, Sinđelić, and Marić. Sometimes it's hard to tell if a name comes from a mother or father, as many Serbian names have both male and female versions. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was common for mothers to become the main person in charge of the family, and when surnames were made official in Serbia in 1851, they were sometimes based on these women's names. People who didn't know their father well also took matronymic surnames, like the hero of the First Serbian Uprising, Stevan Sinđelić, who took his surname to honor his mother Sinđelija.

• Ukraine: In Ukraine, the suffix "-chak" can mean "daughter of," suggesting a history of matronyms. For example, last names ending with "-chak," like Rataichak or Katerchak, are matronyms. The practice of taking a mother's name ended around the mid-1800s, but the family lines through mothers are still remembered. Other historical examples include Olenych and Katerynchuk. Oleg Yaroslavich, a 12th-century prince, was known as Oleg Nastasyich to show his connection to his mother.

Matronymics in Jewish Traditions

Most characters in the Bible are referred to by their father's name. However, Abishai, Joab, and Asahel, who were the sons of Zeruiah (King David's sister), are always called "Sons of Zeruiah," and their father's name is not known. Also, the Biblical Judge Shamgar is called "Son of Anat" (his mother).

There are signs of Jewish matronymic names throughout history. In East European Jewish society, some family names appeared that came from mothers' names, such as Rivlin (from Rivka/Rebecca), Sorkin (from Sarah), and Rochlin (from Rachel).

In certain Jewish prayers and blessings, mothers' names are used. For example, when people pray for someone who is very ill, they might say, "We ask you to pray for the recovery of [person's name], son/daughter of [mother's name]."

In the 1700s, many European countries made laws that required Jewish people to adopt consistent family names. For many, their surname came from their mothers, not their fathers. This is why many Ashkenazi surnames today can be traced back to a female ancestor. However, these surnames were not strictly "matronymic" (made from a mother's first name). Instead, they were matrinames, meaning they were inherited family names from the mother's side.