Most of us are aware o f how old and rich the Lithuanian language is. We also know how strong were the ties which bonded Lithuanian families and kept them together through good and bad times. Nowhere is this more evident than in the names which Lithuanians used, and still use to this day, for family members and the relationships between them.<\/p>\n
In an article published in the journal Gimtoji Kalba (Native Language) in 1965, the linguist Pranas Skard\u017eius gives a list of names which were used throughout the centuries to designate the various members of the family and the ties which bound them together.\u00a0![\"1998-05-15-LHERITAGE-02\"](\"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/1998-05-15-LHERITAGE-02-210x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
To some many of the names on the list may seem strange, or completely unheard of, such as avynas (mother\u2019s brother, uncle), laigonas (brother-in-law), or \u0161eirys (widower). Although used in the past, some names were considered too archaic and were eventually forgotten. But linguists believe that most of the names listed here are very much alive and are still being used by many in rural areas.<\/p>\n
It is worth noting that in the daily spoken language several names are often used to designate a single family relation. At the same time, the same name might be used to indicate several different relations. And some names are more common in one dialect than in another.<\/p>\n
This multitide of names can be grouped into several categories: Some are extremely old and are still being used in their original form; others have changed over time and carry only a hint of their ancient origin; still others have originated in more recent times; and finally, there are those that were borrowed from other lenguages.<\/p>\n
Today, when family ties are not as strong as they were in the past and don\u2019t seem to have as much significance, it is difficult for us to grasp the complexity of many of these names and how they relate to our own families.<\/p>\n
We thank the Rev. Juozas Vai\u0161nys, S. J., editor of Lai\u0161kai Lietuviams (Letters to Lithuanians), for allowing us to reproduce this list of family relation names.<\/p>\n
NOTE: If there is a feminine variant for the same name, the feminine ending is also given. (The group of names beginning with the prefix Diev- on the opposite page is one exampie of how complex and colorful the naming of family relations among Lithuanians can be).<\/p>\n
Anyta<\/strong> \u2014 vyro motina = mother-in-law.<\/p>\n Augintinis,-e<\/strong> \u2014 paimtas auginti svetimas vaikas = foster child, fosterling.<\/p>\n Avynas<\/strong> \u2014 motinos brolis, dede = mother\u2019s brother, uncle.<\/p>\n Brolaitis,-e<\/strong> \u2014 brolio sunus, brolio dukte = brother\u2019s son, brother\u2019s daughter (see brolenas, brolecia.)<\/p>\n Brolava<\/strong> (and broliava<\/strong>) \u2014 broliu giminyste – brotherhood (see brolyste) Brolecia \u2014 brolio dukte, brolaite = niece.<\/p>\n Brolenas<\/strong> \u2014 1. brolio sunus = brother\u2019s son, nephew. 2. dedes ar tetos sunus = male cousin (see pusbrolis.)<\/p>\n Broliavaikis<\/strong> (and brolvaikis<\/strong>) \u2014 brolio vaikas = brother\u2019s child, nephew (see brolenas.)<\/p>\n Broliene<\/strong> \u2014 brolio \u017emona = brother\u2019s wife, sister-inlaw<\/p>\n Brolyste<\/strong> \u2014 broliu giminyste, brolava = brotherhood.<\/p>\n Dede<\/strong> \u2014 tevo ar motinos brolis – uncle.<\/p>\n Dedenas<\/strong> \u2014 dedes sunus = uncle\u2019s son.<\/p>\n Dediene<\/strong> \u2014 dedes \u017emona; uncle’s wife = aunt.<\/p>\n Dieveraitis<\/strong> \u2014 dieveries sunus = son of husband\u2019s brother.<\/p>\n Dievere<\/strong> \u2014 vyro sesuo = husband\u2019s sister, sister-in-law (see mo\u0161a)<\/p>\n Dieverecia<\/strong> \u2014 dieveres dukte = daughter o f husband\u2019s sister.<\/p>\n Dieverenas<\/strong> \u2014 dieveres sunus = son of husband\u2019s sister.<\/p>\n Dieveriene<\/strong> \u2014 dieveries \u017emona – wife o f husband\u2019s brother, sister-in-law.<\/p>\n Dieverija<\/strong> \u2014 vyro broliai = all the husband\u2019s brothers.<\/p>\n Dieveris<\/strong> \u2014 vyro brolis = husband\u2019s brother, brotherin-law.<\/p>\n Dukraite<\/strong> \u2014 dukters dukte, anuke = granddaughter.<\/p>\n Dukterecia<\/strong> \u2014 brolio ar sesers duktebrolecia, seserecia = niece.<\/p>\n Dukterenas<\/strong> \u2014 dukters sunus = grandson (see vaikaitis)<\/p>\n Dvyniai<\/strong> \u2014 du tuojau vienas po kito tos pacios motinos pagimdyti kudikiai, dvynukai – twins.<\/p>\n Dvynys,-e<\/strong> \u2014 kas gimes kartu su kitu, dvynukas = twin.<\/p>\n Dvynukas,-e<\/strong> \u2014 (see dvynys, dvyniai)<\/p>\n Giminaitis,-e<\/strong> \u2014 tos pacios gimines \u017emogus\\ giminietis, gentis = kinsman, kinswoman, relative, blood relation.<\/p>\n Gimine<\/strong> (plural gimines<\/strong>) \u2014 1. giminaiciai, seima, paderme, karta = relatives, family, ancestry, lineage. 2. (see giminaitis, -e.)<\/p>\n Giminystes<\/strong> \u2014 giminine sasaja, gimini\u0161kas artimumas; = relationship, kinship.<\/p>\n Gimtadienis<\/strong> \u2014 (see gimtuves)<\/p>\n Gimtuves<\/strong> \u2014 1. gimimo diena, gimtadienis – birthday. 2. gimtadienio \u0161ventei\u0161kilme, puota ta proga – birthday party.<\/p>\n Ibrolis<\/strong> \u2014 brolio teisemis ivaikintas svetimas bernaitis – stepbrother.<\/p>\n Idukra<\/strong> (and idukre<\/strong>, iduktere<\/strong>) \u2014 idukrinta, dukters\u00a0teisemis priimta svetima mergaite = foster-daughter.<\/p>\n Imote<\/strong> \u2014 netikra motina, svetima, vaika isisunijuse ar isidukrinusi moteris = foster-mother.<\/p>\n Isesere<\/strong> \u2014 sesers teisemis ivaikinta svetima mergaite; = stepsister.<\/p>\n Isunis<\/strong> \u2014 sunumi priimtas, isunytas svetimas vaikas – foster-son.<\/p>\n Itevis<\/strong> \u2014 netikras tevas, svetima vaika isisunijes, ar isidukrines vyras – foster-father.<\/p>\n Ivaikis<\/strong> \u2014 prisiimtas (isunytas ar idukrintas) vaikas – adopted child, foster-child.<\/p>\n Laigonas<\/strong> (or laiguonas<\/strong>) \u2014 \u017emonos brolis, svainis; = brother-in-law.<\/p>\n Marti, marcia<\/strong>\u2014 (uo\u0161viu namuose gyvenanti) sunaus \u017emona = daughter-in-law.<\/p>\n Mo\u0161a<\/strong> \u2014 vyro sesuo = husband\u2019s sister, sister-in-law.<\/p>\n Mo\u0161enas<\/strong> \u2014 mo\u0161os vyras = sister-in-law\u2019s husband.<\/p>\n Na\u0161laitis,-e<\/strong> \u2014 vieno ar abieju tevu netekes vaikas = orphan.<\/p>\n Na\u0161lys,-e<\/strong> (or \u0161eirys,-e) \u2014 vyras, kurio \u017emona mirusi, arba moteris, kurios vyras mires = widower, widow.<\/p>\n Nuotaka<\/strong> \u2014 tekanti moteris, jaunoji = bride.<\/p>\n Palikuonis,-e<\/strong> \u2014 po tevu palikes sunus arba palikusi dukte = descendant.<\/p>\n Pamote<\/strong> \u2014 netikra motina, tevo \u017emona jo vaikams i\u0161 ankstesniu santuoku = stepmother.<\/p>\n Patevis<\/strong> \u2014 netikras tevas, motinos vyras jos vaikams i\u0161 ankstesniu santuoku = stepfather.<\/p>\n Pobrolis<\/strong> \u2014 netikras brolis, pusbrolis, patevio ar pamotes sunus i\u0161 ankstesniu santuoku = stepbrother. Pobrolis is different from pabrolis (or pabrolys) who is the bestman at a wedding.<\/p>\n Podukra<\/strong> \u2014 netikra dukte, \u017emonos ar vyro dukte i\u0161 ankstesniu santuoku = stepdaughter.<\/p>\n Podukraite<\/strong> \u2014 vaikaicio,-es (sunaicio, dukraites) dukte = granddaughter.<\/p>\n Posenole<\/strong> \u2014 vieno i\u0161 senoliu sesuo = great-aunt.<\/p>\n Posenolis<\/strong> \u2014 vieno i\u0161 senoliu brolis, tevu dede = greatuncle.<\/p>\n Posesere<\/strong> \u2014 netikra sesuo, patevio ar pamotes dukte i\u0161 ankstesniu santuoku, pussesere – stepsister, half-sister.<\/p>\n Posunaitis<\/strong> \u2014 vaikaicio (sunaicio) sunus = greatgrandson<\/p>\n Posunis<\/strong> \u2014 netikras sunus, \u017emonos ar vyro sunus i\u0161 ankstesniu santuoku = stepson.<\/p>\n Povaikis<\/strong> \u2014 netikras vaikas, posunis ar podukra = stepchild.<\/p>\n Preik\u0161as<\/strong> \u2014 antras i na\u0161les namus nuejes vyras, u\u017ekurys = widow\u2019s second husband.<\/p>\n Prosenele<\/strong> \u2014 senoles motina = great-grandmother.<\/p>\n Proseneliai<\/strong> \u2014 senoliu tevai – great-grandparents.<\/p>\n Prosenolis<\/strong> \u2014 senolio tevas, prosenelis = greatgrandfather.<\/p>\n Protevis<\/strong> \u2014 tevo tevas, senolis = ancestor, forefather.<\/p>\n Provaikaitis<\/strong> \u2014 vaikaicio vaikas = great-grandchild.<\/p>\n Pusbrolis<\/strong> \u2014 1. dedes ar tetos sunus, brolenas = male Pussesere<\/strong> \u2014 1. dedes ar tetos dukte = female cousin.2. (see posesere)<\/p>\n Santuoka<\/strong> \u2014 susituokimas, susituokeliu gyvenimas = marriage, married life.<\/p>\n Senole<\/strong> \u2014 tevo ar motinos motina, senele = grandmother.<\/p>\n Senoliai<\/strong> \u2014 tevu tevai, seneliai – grandparents.<\/p>\n Senolis<\/strong> \u2014 tevo ar motinos tevas, senelis = grandfather.<\/p>\n Seserecia<\/strong>\u2014 1. sesers dukte = niece. 2. (see pussesere.)<\/p>\n Seserenas<\/strong> \u2014 sesers vaikas, sesers sunus, seseraitis, seserynas = sister\u2019s child, sister\u2019s son, nephew.<\/p>\n Seseryste<\/strong> \u2014 seseru giminyste – relationship o f sisters, sisterhood.<\/p>\n Seservaikis<\/strong> \u2014 sesers vaikas, seseraitis, seserenas = sister\u2019s child.<\/p>\n Sunaitis<\/strong> \u2014 sunaus sunus, vaikaitis, anukas = grandson.<\/p>\n Sunenas<\/strong> \u2014 brolio ar sesers sunus, sunaus ar dukters sunus = nephew.<\/p>\n Sutuoktuves<\/strong> \u2014 susituokimas, tuokimosi i\u0161kilmes = marriage, wedding ceremony.<\/p>\n Su\u017eadetuves<\/strong> \u2014 susi\u017eadejimas, susi\u017eadejimo i\u0161kilmes = betrothal.<\/p>\n Su\u017eieduotuves<\/strong> \u2014 susi\u017eiedavimas, susiziedavimo i\u0161kilmes, \u017eiedynos = engadgement.<\/p>\n Svaine<\/strong> \u2014 \u017emonos sesuo = sister-in-law.<\/p>\n Svainija<\/strong> \u2014 svainiai ir svaines kartu = all the inlaws (male and female) together.<\/p>\n Svainis<\/strong> \u2014 1. z\/j\/ra \u017emonos brolis = brother-in-law.2. t\/y\/vw = sister\u2019s husband. 3. z’jyro ar \u017emonos\u00a0sesers vyras = husband\u2019s or wife\u2019s sister\u2019s husband.<\/p>\n \u0160eirys,-e<\/strong> \u2014 (see na\u0161lys,-e.)<\/p>\n \u0160e\u0161uras<\/strong> \u2014 vyro tevas = father-in-law.<\/p>\n Teketi<\/strong> \u2014 eiti u\u017e vyro = to marry, to join (a woman) to a man as his wife. This word applies only to women. For a man, the word used is vesti.<\/p>\n Tekybos<\/strong> \u2014 tekejimas, ejimas u\u017e vyro = marriage of a woman to a man.<\/p>\n Teta<\/strong> \u2014 tevo ar motinos sesuo = aunt.<\/p>\n Tetenas<\/strong> \u2014 tetos sunus, tetos vyras = uncle.<\/p>\n Uo\u0161ve<\/strong> \u2014 \u017emonos motina = mother-in-law.<\/p>\n Uo\u0161viai<\/strong> \u2014 \u017emonos tevai = wife\u2019s parents.<\/p>\n Uo\u0161viene<\/strong> \u2014 uo\u0161vio \u017emona = mother-in-law.<\/p>\n Uo\u0161vija<\/strong> \u2014 uo\u0161viai, uo\u0161viu namai, uo\u0161vyne = in-laws, in-laws\u2019 home.<\/p>\n Uo\u0161vis<\/strong> \u2014 \u017emonos tevas – father-in-law.<\/p>\n U\u017ekurys<\/strong> \u2014 (see preik\u0161as.)<\/p>\n Vaikaitis,-e<\/strong> \u2014 vaiku vaikas (anukas) = grandchild.<\/p>\n Vaikyste<\/strong> \u2014 vaiko am\u017eius, vaiku giminyste su tevais = childhood.<\/p>\n Vedybos<\/strong> \u2014 vedimas, \u017emonos emimas = marriage.<\/p>\n Vesti<\/strong> \u2014 imti \u017emona (kalbant apie vyra) = to marry, to join (a man) to a woman as her husband, to take a wife.<\/p>\n \u017dentas<\/strong> \u2014 dukters vyras = son-in-law.<\/p>\n \u017dmona<\/strong> \u2014 i\u0161tekejusi moteris, pati = wife.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BY Prof. Casimir Dobilas ALL IN THE FAMILY Most of us are aware o f how old and rich the Lithuanian language is. We also know how strong were the ties which bonded Lithuanian families and kept them together through good and bad times. Nowhere is this more evident than in the names which Lithuanians …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2793,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[70],"tags":[138,78],"class_list":["post-2792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-history-1900","tag-dobilas-c","tag-lith-heritage"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2792","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2792"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2792\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2793"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.draugas.org\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\ncousin. 2. (see pobrolis)<\/p>\n