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One could be tempted to
believe the meanings of these names are lost forever to the descendants of
these people. This is not so. There are many books written on the subject
and are available in libraries. The book "Osage Mission," a book
of marriages, interrants, and baptisms by Louis H. Burns gives a lengthy
list and interpretation of the meaning of names.
Because they speak of the
depth of feeling the people have some are listed here:
Hun ka ah gre-The Hun Ka
Eagle (male name).
This is probably a name of
the Mottled Eagle clan. The Sacred Eagle is a literal translation. This is
the eagle that led the people from the four upper-worlds.
Kahikie atch
Possibly, this is a variant
of Ki he ka she or Not a Chief which means this person cannot be a chief
because his clan believes in war.
Ko pa ka she-Flashing eyes.
This is a Sen ka or third daughter name of the Black Bear clan. The name
is a reference to the light in a bear's eyes or the light reflected from a
bear's coat at night. Author's note: A fearful sight when observed in a
human's eye.
Mihoni-This is We ha or
second daughter name of the Black Bear clan, it is also a traditional name
of the Panther clan. These two clans were closely related and shared some
names.
Me hun ka me-Sacred Sun
Woman
Me tsa he-Me na-The
favorite. This is a popular female name. It is a first daughter name (Me
tsa he) name in the isolated Earth clan, the Black Bear clan, the Mottled
Eagle clan, the Elk clan and the Night People clan.
Me tsa ho pa-Spider woman -This
is a female name of the Isolated Earth clan.
Mo sa ne-Arrow of Life
(female name)
This is probably a
reference to the red ceremonial arrow which represents life. The other
arrow is black and represents death. Both are fired to the west so life
and death can forever pursue night and day.
Na he me ka-Truth of
maturity.
Pa pu son tsa-Sloping
Upland Forrest (female name)
* Osage Mission Book |
