When I meet someone with a Setswana name I haven't heard before, I ask them what it means. It is always something interesting. I work with Lorato (Love) and Bonolo (Humility). I went to Karabo (Answer)'s wedding. I met baby Kamogelo (Accept) at a funeral. I took a taxi ride with Kealebago (Thanks).
There are also those I know who have standard English names: Irene, Paul, Veronica, David.
But the names I find most charming are the ones that express character traits in English. I recently went to a meeting hosted by Beauty, and sat next to Polite. We all know the name Precious from Alexander McCall Smith's No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I have met a couple of women named Precious. I also know Patience. Karabo's groom Innocent is the brother of Gift.
Whenever I hear names like these, in Setswana or English, I think about the kind of values and traits that are held important by Batswana society -- or at least by the parents of these fine people.
I would like my name to be Accept. :)
ReplyDeleteI think that is a great name. I wonder what Batswana people think of North American children named Snooky?
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