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DESK TOP INVESTIGATING
Understanding the naming conventions of other cultures is important for an investigator or for anyone wishing to certainly and correctly identify people in our diverse country. The following column is an attempt to assist the reader in correctly applying the conventions of uniquely ethnic names so identification is possible. This article should not be interpreted as indicating any unusual prevalence of any specific ethnic group toward unlawful or immoral activities, since no such intention exists. In each issue of The John Cooke Fraud Report, we will explore the mysteries of the naming practices of different ethnic cultures. In this issue, we look at Hmong, Cambodian and Laotian names.
Hmong Names
Since the end of the Vietnam War, over 100,000 Hmong have emigrated to the United States. The majority are located in Minnesota, Wisconsin and California.
In dealing with Hmong names, the claims professional may encounter several problems. First, is the order of the names. The Hmong have a clan name and either one or two given names, but traditionally, the order can vary depending on what sounds best to the individual. Many have adopted the standard American practices, however, placing the clan name last.
A second problem arises from the erratic spelling of Hmong names. The Hmong did not have a written language until the middle of the twentieth century when one was created for them by foreign missionaries. As a result, many Hmong are illiterate in either their own language or English.
Some Hmong women continue to use their clan name after marriage but many will adopt their husband’s name in keeping with American tradition.
The following is a list of common Hmong clan names and their pronunciations. Please note that spelling of Hmong names can vary.
Bee (bee)
Chang (chahng)
Cheng (cheng)
Chue (che-u)
Dang (dahng)
Fang (fahng)
Ge (zhay)
Ger, Yeu (dZur)
Hang (hahng)
Lee; Ly, Le (lee)
Lor, Lo (law)
Khang (kahng)
Moua (moo-ah)
Neng (neng)
Pao (pow)
Sao (sow)
Sy, See (see)
Thao, Tor (taw)
Thong (tawng)
Tov (too)
Vang (vahng)
Vue (voo)
Yang (yahng) Xiong (shee-ong)
The following list includes the most common Hmong given names. As with the clan names, spelling is not standardized. In addition, children may be given American names, with only their clan name reflecting their Hmong heritage.
Blia (blee-ah)
Chia (chee-ah)
Doua, Dua (doo-ah)
Gen (tsan)
Hua (hoo-ah)
Kia (kee-ah)
Koua, Kua (koo-ah)
Lang (lahng)
Lia (lee-ah)
Mo (maw)
May (my)
Neng (neng)
Nu (noo)
Yii (yee)
You (jew)
Claims professionals must pay attention to possible variations in word order and spelling when indexing Hmong names. Steps to try include submitting the name with the order reversed or submitting with different spellings of the same name. For females, try both the wife’s and the husband’s clan names.
Cambodian Names
Cambodian, or Khmer, is spoken by over 5 million people. It is the official language of Cambodia. –
Cambodian names usually consist of two parts. The first part is the family name; the next is the individual’s given name. As with other non-Western names, spelling can vary and some of the younger members of the community are given American names.
Common Cambodian family names and their pronunciations are listed below.
Chak (chawk)
Chop (chop)
San (sahn)
Sem (sem)
Sok (sawk)
Som (sawm)
Touch (too-ch)
Vuthy (voo-tee)
Common Cambodian given names are listed below.
Balin (bah-lin)
Chea (chee-ah)
Cheata (chee-ay-tah)
Chheng (cheng)
Dara (dah-rah)
Leng (leng)
Loveng (bong)
Ly (lee)
Narong (nah-rong)
Naroeung (nahroong)
Phuong (poong)
Saroeung (sah-roong)
Serey (say-ray)
Son (sawn)
Cambodian names present challenges to claims professionals that are similar to those from other nationalities. When working with Cambodian claimants, it may be helpful to check various combinations of the names.
Laotian Names
The Laotian language (or Lao) is the official language of Laos. It is spoken by over 10 million people living in Laos and Thailand.
Laotian names consist of a given name followed by a family name. The given name may be made up of a common prefix and multiple suffixes.
Common Laotian family names are listed below with their pronunciations.
Bouphasiri (boo-pa-sin)
Kaignavongsa (kyng-na-vong-sah)
Kahmphoukeo (kahm-poo- keo)
Konekhamsompnou (konk-ahm-sompoo)
Koulavongsa (koo-lavong-sah)
Nasirichampang (na-siri-chain-pang)
Pnommavongsay (pomma-von-sy)
Pharasovco (pra-soo-vow)
Raitanabouavorn (ra-tana-bua-vorn)
Soukbandith (sook-bahn-dit)
Common Laotian given names and their pronunciations are listed below.
Bounmy (boon-mee)
Bounsouan (boon-suan)
Bounteum (boon-teum)
Bounthieng (boon-tieng)
Fasananh (fa-san-ahn)
Khamphouang (kahm-pwung)
Khamsavevi (kahm-sa-vevi)
Oubonlamphanh (oo-bon-lahm-pahn)
Thongchanh (tong-chahn)
Thongphoun (tong-poon)
Indexing Laotian claimants calls for both precision and creativity. Names such as those listed here are longer and more complex than most claims professionals usually handle. It would not be unusual to find that such names had been misspelled, either in the claims file or in previous Index entries. It is also possible that either one or both of the names might be shortened.
If you are a new subscriber, you may be interested in obtaining back issues of The John Cooke Fraud Report. In previous issues we have covered the naming traditions of other cultures: Vietnamese (May/June), Arabic (July/August), Hispanic (September/October) and Korean (November/December).
© 1995 John Cooke Fraud Repor