Indian Names

Originally Posted by crvlvr

Wikipedia has a detailed wikki on Indian names: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_name

Typically Hindu names contains 4 elements

1. Place
2. First Names
3. Father's First name
4. Caste/occupation

In transmogrifying this long name into the more simplistic first/last names used in the western world, usually the First names is used with one of the other names. Hence when looking at an Indian name, what the last name signify can vary from name to name.

Nick names in India are no different than those used in the west and differs from family to family in its use.

First names are usually not used when a referring to an elder (unless used with some kind of title) out of respect. I think this is an important point for tourists to note.

Originally Posted by Nick-H

This is a very North-centric "typically"!