Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-03-19
INDIAN NAMES.
literal Translation of cognomsus Borne
bJ Red Men.

Many suppose that such names as
''Sitting Bull" '.Hole-in-the-Day,"
ETC.. are cognomens OF convenience
given the Indians by army officers, post
traders and other white men having
dwellings with them.
This is not the case. The fantastic
names are literal translations OF the
real names OF the Indians. The United
States Bureau OF Ethnology has de-
voted a great deal OF attention to the
subject OF nomenclature among the
aborigines, with very unsatisfactory
results.
This much is established: The In
dian boy has no name. He is a plain
Indian boy until he becomes buck or
a warrior. 1hen he is christened, not
formally. but by general consent
A name is given him that may in
dicate physical excellence. q physical
popularity, prowess in war or the
chase. In making treaty with a
tribe OF Indians it is necessary TO
secure the signature of every male
member OF the tribe.
These documents, as filed in the
archives of the government offer
some very curious reading. The last
volume published OF the session sets OF
the United States Congress contains
in full certain treaties as to reserva-
tton boundaries made with the Assini-
boine, Black Feet Gros Ventre,
Piegan, Blood and River Grow In
dians.
In each instance the name of the
Indian and the translation is written
out followed by Ibis X mark" and a
seal. For instance the Assiniboine
chiet, We-cha-. e-tonka, is Big Star.
A casual glance over the columns OF
signatures will give some idea of the
fantastic diversity of Indian names.
There is apreponderance of such names
as Big Bear. Iron Horn Bull, Fast
Horse, Little Bull Big Bull, Wolf
Panther, Mountain Lion.
Physical peculiarities are indicated
by such names as THE Thigh"
Poor Shoulder Blade" walks Like
a Boy" Hawk Tracks" Wrinkle
Face, Red All Over" Throat of
Bull" Left Hand" ''Squint Eyes,"
Zone Eye" No Eyes" 'Iron Voice"
"Woman's Hip"
Confirmed habits and disposition
may perhaps be indicated by such
names as Shaved Clean" "Dirty
Ear" Strikes His Breast" Steals
Tobacco" beats His Wife," Lying
White Man." Kicking Woman"
Gold Feet" Chief Coward, +" .'Steal
Gun at Night '.Man Who Steals
Woman, Man Loves Tobacco"
Within a space taken up by fifteen
names is found in BlackfeeL treaty,
warriors bold answering to the improb-
able combination OF Stand Him OFF,,
''Wets His Mouth. Whisky" lizard
Looking Man. and bad Hat"
Exploits and physical prowess are
perpetuated in the names of the
braves, and glancing over the list at
random the eve is struck by such
designations as big Brave" ..Stran-
gled the Wolf" Chief on the Prai-
rie," Chief All Over" 'Good Stab
Der, !" Ready to Shoot" '.Man Who
Don't Run" Flight the Bear" Take
1t Alive" and "Many Wounds"
Some of the names bestowed carry
with them contempt and derision. OF
such are STAYS in Camp" Grand
mother" Temporarily Married,
'Lots of Sleep" Cat Gifts" 'Squaw
Beater, " Takes Back Gifts" .'Yel-
low Liver, Scared Out"
Some idea of the worldly posses.
sions of certain Indians is carried
with such names as Twelve Blan-
kets," Heavy Gun," Two Guns"
''ManY Horses, F" PLENTY to Eat,n and
"Tall Hat"
The variety OF names indicating
fancied resemblances in appearances,
manners Or voice to birds and animals
swells the strange list to such an ex-
cent as to permit only of passing
mention.