may i ask a silly question please? Bona Septano and Markis Kido are brothers, right? if so, how come they have different surnames?
Wikkipedia has a very interesting article that explains that many Indonesians don't have family names, but can have two or three personal names. That's how siblings can have no name in common. On the other hand, someone may have, as a surname, their dad's name with -putra or -putri added for 'son of/daughter of'. Plus many other variations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_names But with so many ethnic groups and cultural influences, I'm sure this wikki can't compete with an Indonesian BCer's explanation, if someone would be so kind.
So are they all full siblings, cuz Septano doesn't really look like Kido, to me anyways, and they have completely different body profiles. To me, I think Pia looks like Septano, but has Kido's body profile. LoL
Yup, wiki is correct typically indonesians dont have surname or family names. They used to allow 1 name, which is just a first name. Usually the last name is the father or mother or combination or ancestor name. Hope this helps.
I think the source above already give well enough information about the Indonesia names. Originally many ethnic groups in Indonesia do not have surename. Some ethnicities that have surename for example is Minahasa (I'm a Minahasan) in North Sulawesi (Greysia Polii & Flandi Limpeleh are Minahasan too, Polii & Limpeleh are surename), Batak in North Sumatera, Ambon in Maluku and etc. But recently, especially the urban people, the use of surename is increase. For example is our current President Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who is a javanesse has a father name Raden Soekotjo, so it's clear that Yudhoyono is not his surename. But he use it as the surename for his two sons Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono & Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono.
same thing happens for taufik hidayat. hidayat is given name not surename but taufik uses hidayat as surename for his son and daughter, nayottama prawira hidayat and natarina alika hidayat.
thanks guys for the clarifications. much appreciated. i always wonder about Hendrawan, is it his first name or surname? now i know, can be either or neither.
Just Hendrawan......most of Indonesians during Soeharto era have no surename...I and my father share the same first name, My sister has one name only then my other sister has 3 names...after our generation then we start using our surenames but honestly it does not make sense. Hendra Setiawan and her sister Silvie also have different last name. Hastomo Arbi, Eddie hartono and Hariyanto Arbi ( 3 brothers) Alan Budi Kusuma and Yohan Budi kusuma Frans Kurniawan and Fernano Kurniawan Maria Febe Kusumastuti and Yoga Abrahams Jones Jensen and Cisita Jensen Susi Susanti and her brother Rudy Gunawan Candra Wijaya, rendra Wijaya
I cannot resist asking about my favourite Indonesian: Does the "Dwi" in Sony Dwi Kuncoro mean anything special? Or is it just a middle name.
dwi means two or second. it indicates Sony is a second kid. sometimes Indonesian named their child in based on the birth order. the first kid named Eka/Eko the second kid named Dwi the third kid named Tri the forth kid named Catur, and so on.
actually, others has explain very well. i just want to add a bit. most indonesians believe that name for their kid is du'a (pray). So they will give their kid name with good meaning for the kid future. they rarely think about family name. sometimes, they also give names based on their idol name or based on their interest. before 1990, most javanese espescially rural javanese gives 1 word name mostly begin with Su-..... like, Suryanto, Supriyo, Sutijah etc. Su- means beautiful (dont know the right translate to english ) . that's why you can find many people with the same name oh btw, Indonesians also like giving their kid's name based on the date/month born of the kid and also zodiac. for example. Yulianti/Yuliana/Yulianto : born in July. Febri/Febrio etc : born in February. Marlita : born March. just for example believe it or not, I have 2 friends named Oryza Sativa (latin name of rice) and Lorine Tantalu (comes from Chlorine and Tantalum-chemistry molecule name). Their parents are biologist and chemist
Susi and Rudy are brother and sister? Wow. I didn't know that. I guess surnames are going to be more common in Indonesia with time. Probably due to globalization. Hendrawan can always use his chinese surname, right?