First names are a reflection of modernity for some and an effort to pass on tradition for others. Sometimes the tradition is historical, familial or cultural. At the supermarket, I ran into a cashier named Ha’ane. It was spelled correctly and even had the right glotta.

I spoke CHamoru to her and she replied, “Let me think, I know what you are saying.” I left wondering what Ha’ane’s parents were thinking.

It’s common in 21st century Guam for children to be named Tano’, Isa, Napu, Ha’ane and Tasi (land, rainbow, wave, daytime and ocean). I guess the namers are honoring CHamoru tradition. Nerissa and I have two granddaughters named Ha’ani and Isa. I wonder what the named will think.

I have not heard Saddok (river), Puenge (night time) or Niyok (coconut), although they could appear as family nicknames.


In 19th century Guam, names like Jesus, Jose, Ramon, Lourdes, Josefina, Maria ruled baptismal certificates. Growing up in the 20th century, traditional CHamoru first names were those or other Catholic saints. My name was ranked second in the U.S. in the 1940s. The other names in the Top 5 included James, Richard, John and William. Except for William, my brothers had those names.

Our nicknames at various times were Burp, Kimme’, Hirotsuka and Harpo. Until I ran for office, my nephews and nieces called me Uncle Burp. Some still do.

There are names from history. I like to believe that my son, Ricardo Hurao, (born in 1978) was the first Hurao since the original who fought against the Spanish in 1671. My grandson, Joaquin Hurao, (born in 2015) was probably not the second. There was a lot of consciousness raising in the intervening 37 years. There may be someone out there named Matapang, Quipuha, Puntan or Fu’una, but I haven’t seen them at the supermarket.

I guess we can ask Vital Statistics at Public Health to conduct a research project on Guam first names. Director James Gillan emailed me that he would look into it.

I was tentative with the name Hurao. My son’s first name is not Hurao. It is his middle name. This parallels my own situation. Allegedly, my father wanted me to be named Anacletus. Thankfully, my mother resisted, but I did get Anacletus as my middle name in honor of the third Pope.

Neither Ricardo nor I had to go through life being called Hu or Ana or some other mangling of a name imposed by a father who was interested in history. Sometimes going with the flow is OK and prevents misunderstandings

Filipinos are very inventive and create names by combining names. This is how we get Maricel and Jestoni.

At UOG, I had a Filipina student in the 1980s named Agana. She said her father was grateful for making a life in Guam. I don’t think she has since changed her name to Hagåtña. Maybe there are people out there named Dededo or Humatak.

The most common name in the world, but certainly not the United States, is Mohammed. Jesus as a first name has fallen into disfavor, although Noah ranks into the top five in most surveys. Sophia continues to be amongst the strongest for girls. That is the name of my firstborn.

My granddaughter’s name, Tavia, is not popular worldwide. But she remains very popular with me. At the end of the day, that is all that matters.


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