In the Western district natives get their names in the same way. One, Tahchet Mahrung, from the pine-tree (Mahrung); another Yarette or Jurh (the Mallee-tree); and a third Wungawette, like the name of a place on Pine Plains. A boy was named Brairnunnin (to cut or pierce as with a spear), and a girl Nepurnin (to bury or hide).
Mr. Stanbridge says it was the custom to give names of natural objects to both males and females.
Elsewhere such a name as Colabatyin (turkey), or Bulltkinna (sheep), or Bonyea (a part of the body) was given to a male.
Sometimes they have nick-names, as Yanguia (left-handed), Murra Muthi (bad-handed), or Kato wirto (little man).
The Rev. Mr. Taplin, writing of the Narrinyeri, says that it is unlucky to name a child until it can walk, and that the name is generally significant of the place of birth. One born at a place called Rilge was called Rilgewal. But the name thus given is not permanent. Other names are taken subsequently—as, for instance, on arriving at manhood; and if the name chosen happen to be one similar to that of a member of the tribe who dies, it is again changed. And he says, "It is also very common for a mother or father to bear the name of a child. This is effected by adding the termination arni for father, or annike for mother, to the name of the child. For instance, Koolmatinye arni is the father of Koolmatinyeri, and Koolmatinye annike is the mother of Koolmatinyeri."
Mr. Howitt gives an account, as related by Toolabar, a well-known native, of the manner of naming children in Gippsland:—
"A child is not named until it is about three years old. Till then it is called 'Leet' or 'Tally Leet' or Quenjung—child or girl (or sister). Billy says he should say—(pointing to my little girl, aged three)—'Come here' 'Leet bittel,' i.e., 'my child.' When a child is about three or upwards the friends may think it well to name it, or the father may think so. Some name is given it which has belonged to a deceased relative. The father, for instance, asks his murninung or 'Barbuck'—or 'Waintwin' or 'Waintjin,' 'Cookum' or 'Nallung'—for a name. Toolabar says that in a year or two he will give the name of his brother Barney to Kangaroo Jack. Barney died about ten years ago. Kangaroo Jack's father was the brother of Billy Toolabar's present wife Mary—therefore he is considered 'Billy's wife's brother.' Toolabar was named in the way I have stated by his mother after his 'Brebba Mungan,' who was killed by the Brar-jer-ack blacks (Maneroo) many years before. This relationship stands thus:—
| Grandfather, Bnngil Tay-a-bung |
Grand Uncle, Bunga Wuntwun |
Grand Aunt, A Sister | |||
| Bembinkel | A blackfellow (name forgotten), the Brebba Mungan who named Toolabar. | ||||
| Toolabar | |||||
In this case it will be seen that Bembinkel and the sponsor for Toolabar are considered 'brothers,' therefore he is Toolabar's 'Mungan,' or father. Billy
