How we named our son

One day after birth, February 27, 2010  at Calmette Hospital

 There are many ways to name the children. For us, being the first time parents, we were very cautious to give name of our expected son. First, we want the name of our son be good and attractive; second, we do not want his name to be easily interpreted as dirty language. I, as his mom, spent a lot of time to find appropriate name for him. I initially thought that since my son would be born in the year of tiger, according to Chinese animal year, I would name him the same as his father, Chanrith, for the son should be Rithchan. The name does not sound nicely. 

A few months later, a friend of mine suggested me to name my son according to the mother and father's name; for a son, the mother's last name would come first; while for a daughter the father's would be the first. In this case, our son would be named "Nyrith". But, i do not like this name as it is very simple and has no meaning. 

Some relatives said that I am too ambitious to give name to my expected son. I know, and I know that I have to be very ambitious as his name would be his identity. Ironically, my nickname was so funny; i was named by an old lady who was neighbor of my mother. She named me "Hing" or "toad"; I hated this name. Yet, i was told that give a name to children the same as animal or bad name will make them healthy and wise. That was the reason that my mom decided to take that name and it become my official nickname now. 

For this reason, I do not believe in abstract belief. I have strong decision that I will never and ever give name of animal to my children. :-P

My husband and I spent times to discuss about good name and I made a list of good name including name of westerners. With a long list, i still cannot decide what will be a good name for my expected son. I want his name be powerful and purely Khmer name. 

Only one week before I delivered my son, I could find out an excellent name for him. If i am not recalled wrongly, that day was February 15, at noon time, while I was discussing about selection of name with one of my niece, I found out a really really good name for him; Norentr. This name  I took from Khmer-Khmer dictionary, Chuon Nat dictionary. My niece and I agreed that this is really really an excellent name for my son, though it is a bit complicated. Norentr is from Sangskrit, which mean "Reigning King". Since his father's name is Chanrith or "Power of Moon", his son's name must be more powerful than he. I was so happy that day that I finally find a very good name for my son. 

I told his to my husband and also showed the meaning according to the Khmer dictionary. He was also happy and accept the name to be the official name of our son. 

Noren is happy to accept his names

Later, we added Sokr as his middle name because he was born on Friday or Sokr in Khmer. Thus, his full name become "Ngin Sokr Norentr". But, in order to make it a simple and easy English writing we changed to "Ngin Soknoren"; however, the Khmer writing his still the same. We hope our son will be happy to have this name and he will be proud of his mom for giving him a very good name. 

However, one of his granny like a western name. She suggested us to call Noren "Rene", though no meaning, but it sounds lovely. We also accept this name as his nick name. 

Then, when I was visiting my parents in Kampong Som during Khmer New year in April, one of my sister-in-law called him, Shin-chan, for his appearance is like Shin-chan in Japanese children cartoon. I do not like this name because Shin-chan is very nasty boy; but my husband likes it and he said Shin-chan is a very smart and clever boy. He keeps calling my son Shin-chan. Even though i do not like this name, i have to accept it. This name become my son's nickname for Phnom Penh relatives; while Rene is my son's nickname for Kampong Som relatives. 

My God! I end up with having many names for my son. I am still, nonetheless, happy as all of the names has no animal meanings and sound fine. His official name is still "Ngin Sok Noren". 

Noren @ two months old