If you frequently interact with Balinese people, whether they are friends, colleagues, or during a holiday, you must have heard names like Ida Bagus, Anak Agung, or I Wayan. These names sound distinctive and, apparently, are not chosen randomly. In Balinese culture, first names are often related to the caste system and birth order, which have existed for a long time and are still used today as part of their cultural identity.
Although in modern life everyone is treated equally, this naming system is still maintained because it holds historical and traditional value. To understand it better and avoid confusion, let’s discuss them one by one.
Balinese First Names Based on Caste
Brahmana, the Highest Caste and Spiritual Matters
Brahmana is known as the highest caste in Balinese society. Traditionally, this group is closely associated with religious life. They usually serve as religious leaders or priests who lead various traditional and religious ceremonies.
Balinese people from the Brahmana caste usually have easily recognizable first names. For males, the name used is Ida Bagus, while for females it is Ida Ayu. This name indicates a lineage connected to the spiritual world.
However, in the present day, not everyone with the name Ida Bagus or Ida Ayu works as a priest. Many also work in general fields such as business, offices, education, or even the creative industry. The name primarily functions as a family identity and cultural heritage.
Ksatria, Nobility and Leaders
Below Brahmana is the Ksatria caste. Historically, this caste is synonymous with nobility, royal families, regional leaders, and warriors. During the time of the Balinese kingdoms, Ksatria played an important role in government and leadership.
First names often associated with the Ksatria caste include Anak Agung, Cokorda, Dewa, and I Gusti Agung. These names are still quite common, especially in areas with a history of kingdoms.
In current daily life, people with Ksatria names do not always live as nobility. Many of them live normal lives, working as employees, entrepreneurs, or artists. Thus, the name more often indicates cultural origin rather than current social status.
Waisya, Business and Agriculture
The Waisya caste is traditionally linked to economic activities. This group is known as merchants, entrepreneurs, or farmers who support the community’s economy.
Some first names often associated with Waisya are Gusti, Ngakan, Sang, Si, and Kompyang. These names might sound unique to people unfamiliar with Balinese culture.
As time evolves, the role of Waisya has also changed. Many Balinese people with these names now work in modern sectors such as tourism, international business, and the academic world.
Sudra, the Majority of Balinese Society
Sudra is the largest caste in Bali by number. Simply put, Sudra refers to the general public, including workers, laborers, farmers, and professionals in various fields.
The easiest recognizable feature of a Sudra name is the use of the prefix I for males and Ni for females. Examples include I Wayan, I Made, Ni Komang, or Ni Ketut. Usually, after this prefix, the name is followed by a Balinese birth order marker.
In contemporary Bali, being a Sudra does not mean having a lower position at all. In daily life, everyone lives side-by-side without the rigid social barriers of the past.
Balinese First Names Based on Birth Order
First Child (Eldest)
The eldest child in a Balinese family is usually named Wayan, Putu, or Gede. These three names have essentially the same meaning: the first child or the eldest child.
Wayan is the most frequently used and can be for both males and females. Putu is also quite common and often sounds softer. Meanwhile, Gede usually gives the impression of “big” or “old,” and is often associated with the role of the eldest sibling in the family.
Because almost every Balinese family has a first child, Wayan is one of the most common names found in Bali. It is not uncommon to find several people named Wayan in the same neighborhood.
Second Child
For the second child, the common names used are Made, Kadek, or Nengah. Made comes from the word “madya,” meaning middle, while Nengah also has a similar meaning. Kadek is widely used in South Bali.
These names are also neutral, usable for both males and females. That is why other names are usually added after them to distinguish one person from another.
In daily life, Balinese people often address their friends simply as “Made” or “Dek,” and this is considered very close and polite.
Third Child
The third child is usually named Komang or Nyoman. Both names signify the position of the child born after the second sibling.
Nyoman is quite popular in many areas of Bali, while Komang is also very common and often used informally as an everyday nickname. This name is also not gender-specific and can be used for both males and females.
Since not all families have more than two children, the names Komang and Nyoman are usually not as numerous as Wayan or Made, but they are still very well-known.
Fourth Child
For the fourth child, Balinese people use the name Ketut. This name has a special meaning as the closer or the last child in one birth cycle.
Ketut is often associated with the youngest child, as not all families have four children in practice. Therefore, the name Ketut is quite distinctive and often considered unique.
Nevertheless, Ketut is also neutral and can be used for both males and females.
What If There is a Fifth Child?
If a family has more than four children, the naming system returns to the beginning. The fifth child will usually revert to the name Wayan, followed by Made for the sixth child, Komang for the seventh, and Ketut for the eighth.
To differentiate them from their older sibling, another name is usually added afterward or a special family nickname is used, for example, I Wayan Balik, which means the Wayan who returns/recycles in the family. So, even though the name is the same, each person’s identity remains clear.
