Definition

Noun: - Birth name / Milk name: The informal name given by parents at birth, typically used only during childhood. It is often a vernacular (Nôm) and sometimes intentionally unflattering name, based on superstitious beliefs to avoid attracting the attention or malevolence of evil spirits. - Childhood name: A name used familiarly within the family during early life, distinct from the formal given name (tên chữ) or adult name.

Usage Examples

• ("Đồ Chiểu" is the birth name of the poet Nguyễn Đình Chiểu.)
• (According to superstition, giving an ugly birth name helps a child avoid evil spirits.)
• (Only within the family do they call each other by their childhood names.)

Advanced Usage

• The concept of a "tên tục" is deeply rooted in traditional Vietnamese folk beliefs and naming customs. It reflects a historical practice of using a "humble" or "ugly" name as a protective measure for the child's well-being.

Variants and Related Words

• Tên chữ (Noun): The formal, scholarly name, often Sino-Vietnamese, used in official contexts and adulthood.
• Tên húy (Noun): The taboo name, often the official registered name, used with respect and avoided in daily speech.

Synonyms

• Birth name
• Childhood name
• Milk name (a direct, culturally specific translation)

Related Cultural Concepts

• Tục đặt tên con xấu để dễ nuôi: The custom of giving children ugly names so they are easier to raise (a common folk belief).
• The "tên tục" stands in contrast to the tên chữ, highlighting the duality between informal/familial and formal/societal identity in traditional Vietnamese culture.

noun

1. birth name