Thai Children Have Unusual Middle Names
Thai culture indeed encompasses various traditional beliefs, one of which revolves around protecting children from evil spirits. According to this belief, evil spirits cannot harm a child if they remain unaware of their true name. To safeguard against potential harm, Thai children are given two names: a formal name and an additional name, which can either be a nickname or a unique middle name.
These additional names are not chosen based on the child’s appearance but as a precaution against the spirits. Traditionally, names like “Pig,” “Noi,” or “Lek” have been commonly chosen for this purpose. However, more recently, brand names like “Pepsi” or “Mercedes Benz” have been selected as the additional name. The underlying intent remains to protect the child’s true identity from evil forces as per the traditional belief. This practice reflects Thai culture’s fascinating blend of traditional beliefs and modern influences.
