Learn Mando'a

Maybe it's just because I love kids, or because I've spent too much time scrolling through baby name websites trying to name the characters in my stories, but for whatever reason I'm super excited about this subject and wanted to share my thoughts and ideas. Like any good Mando I'm going to start with the source material, then pull together some extant words that might make great names, and finally give you some names I constructed because my brain does strange and odd things when I get bored.

Source Material
Kal Skirata--"Knife Feuding-Person" Father of the Nulls, a bunch of clones, and a collection of mongrel oddballs. The wheel around which Traviss's story turns. "Kal" literally means knife, and "Skirata" derives from "skira," a feud or grudge, settling scores--something more personal than vengeance.
Ordo Skirata--Named after Canderous Ordo, Mand'alor the Preserver, who rebuilt the Mando'ade after their great defeat at Revan's hands and came to give Revan himself staunch friendship and loyal service. I cannot find a Mando'a entymology for Canderous or Ordo, though Canderous has a resemblance to Latin "candor," meaning forthrightness, honesty, fairness, and archaically, a white radiance. Kind of fitting, since Ordo was a very candid soul.
Mereel--Named after Jaster Mereel, the Mand'alor who raised Jango Fett. Again, I can't find a Mando'a entymology, but the legacy in the name more than makes up for it, as in the case of Ordo.
Prudii--"Shadow"
Kom'rk--"Gauntlet"
A'den--"Wrath" My second favorite Null, after Ordo.
Jaing--Possibly from the stem "jai," to shriek; maybe deriving ending from "rang," ash. I'm not sure.
Munin Skirata--"Tall Feuding-Person" Kal's adoptive father. From "munit," long, as in long memory, short fuse. Of a person, though, it would mean tall. I think.
Tor and Ijaat--"Justice" and "Honor." Kal's biological sons, who disowned him.
Ruusan--"Reliable One." Kal's biological daughter, who was reunited and reconciled with him. A popular female name.
Darman--Clone commando of Omega Squad, adopted by Kal. From "dar'manda," no longer part of the Manda, no longer Mando'ad.
WHY WOULD YOU NAME YOUR KID THAT?!??
Atin--"Stubborn, Tenacious." Another commando of Omega Squad, trained by Vau. Quiet but purposeful.

Walon Vau--While no one can question this Cuy'val Dar's identity as a Mando'ad, he might have kept his Irmenu family name when he joined the Mandalorians, so this name may not be Mando'a at all. I only brought him up so I wouldn't have anybody telling me I forgot someone.
Mij Gilamar--A compassionate and fierce doctor. Married into one of the Mando clans and joined the Mando'ade. It could be non-Mando, but he strikes me as the type to change his name with his identity. All that said, I can't find any entymology for either name.
Rav Bralor--Native Mando and ferocious mother of her own cadre of clone commandos. Not sure what Rav means, but Bralor is likely a contraction of "bral," hill-fort or high defended position, and "alor," leader. So "Hill-Fort Leader," or "Castle Commander," if you like.
Parja--"Victor, Victorious." Bralor's niece; married Fi, another of Kal's adopted boys. Comes from stem "parjai," victory, but I'm not sure if Parja is formed to refer to a person (victor) or the state of victory (victorious).

Fenn Shysa--No info on Shysa, but vhenn means "swamp, wild wetland." Shysa was crowned Mand'alor following the fall of the Republic and Imperial advances on the homeworld of Manda'yaim.

OK, now that we've covered the source material, here's a variety of Mando'a words (or modified, usually shortened versions thereof) that I thought would make great names. Mostly a resource for fanfiction, hopefully material for conversation, and a means to scratch my inner itch. (Guilty grin.) M for masculine, F for feminine, U for unisex. (And yes, Mando'a has no gender, apart for the inherently gendered words for male, female, and any words including those stems. But names get associated with gender. For instance, Sarad, "flower," makes a beautiful girl's name. But nobody in their right mind is going to name their boy "Flower." In the same way you might name your son Brokur, "hammer," but maybe not so much your little girl. And then you have names that overlap, like Tracy or Kelly on Earth, with Kelly meaning warrior. Even then the usage of the name might slant more toward one gender or the other, so that possibility would be indicated M, U or U, F.)

Aay'han: "that perfect moment of mourning and joy." It says a lot about you if you name your kid this. U

Aka: "Mission." For that kid with a purpose. U

Akiye: "Invitation, Summons to a Meeting." F

Ani: "Total, whole, complete, finished." This is what my name would roughly translate to. It makes a good name for a well-rounded, adaptable person. U

Aranov, Arano: "Defense." M, U

Bantov: "Nevertheless." For one who will overcome, no matter the obstacle. U

Baryc: "Deployed." Sums up a Mando outlook on life. U

Beskar: Need I say more?

Beskarta: "Iron Heart." F, maybe U

Beviin: "Lance, Spear." M

Bikad: "Runs Through, Broad Blade." From bikadir, to stab with a broad blade, run through. M, U

Briika: "Smile, Happiness, Joy." For that light-hearted soul even death can't dishearten. U, F

Broka: "Drum, Heartbeat, Pulse." From "brokar," to beat rhythmically. M

Brokur: "Hammer." M

Ca'tra: "Night Sky." Let your daughter be beautiful as the stars. F

Cerashi: "Alternative, Alternatively." For the one who finds a way around. F, maybe U

Cerar: "Mountain." Beautiful, strong, distant, enduring, rugged. U, leaning F

Ceryc: "Pointed." Not sure why, but F.

Chaaj: "Distance, Range." For the aloof and wide-roaming. M

Cheka: "Shiv." From chekar, to stab with a small blade. M

Choruk: "Stone." M

Cincir, Cinciri: "Snow." F

Copaani, Copa: "Desired, Desire." For when you want your kid to know you wanted them. F

Cuyan: "Survivor." U

Cuyot: "The Present, Current Existence." For those focused on the here and now. F, but probably U

Cyara: "Beloved." F

Dajun: "Plan." For a kid who will make something of his life. M

Dalab: "Scabbard, Sheath." May the child know how to keep his blade in its sheath--and when to draw it out. U

Dinu: "Gift." From dinuir, to give. M, U

Dola: "Throughout, Pervading." It's difficult to explain, but there are people who seem to permeate the spaces around them. You feel their presence. This is what I would call them. M

Dral, Drala: "Bright, Glowing, Strong, Powerful." So much meaning. U

Evaar, Evaa: "Youth, Newness." You can get away with this name on Earth. U

Galaar: "Hawk." M

Galek: Long-lived tree with silver leaves. M

Genet: "Gray." Not sure why, but this one stuck with me. M

Haat: "Truth." M, U

Iviin, Ivii: "Speed, Velocity." M

Karoya: "Hunter, Fisher, Pursuer." U

Kote: "Glory." Because why would you not. U

Koor: "Deal, Vow, Pledge." To mark your pledge to raise your child well, or for one who keeps his word. M

Kurshi: "Tree." Symbol of strength and fertility. U

Mar'e: "At Last!" When you really, really, really wanted a kid. U

Mav: "Free." They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom!!!

Meshla: "Beautiful." F

Mirgaan: "Thinking Hand." From mir'gaanla, "deliberate." M

Munad: "Height, Elevation." For one who will take the high places--and hold the high ground. M

Nari: "Act, Action, Move." M

Nau: "Light." F, probably U

Nuhur: "Good Times, Laughter, Fun." Making the guys laugh even in the trenches of war. M, U

Olara: "Welcoming." From olarom, "welcome." F

Ori: "Big, Extreme, Very." For personalities that can't be contained in tiny words. M, U

Oya: "Life, Hunt." Strong F, but definitely U.

Partai: "Remember." From partaylir.

Pirusti: "Well, Fountain." For those who freely give life to their surroundings. F, with a case for U

Ram'ser: "Sniper, Marksman." M, U

Rang: "Ash." M

Ranov: "Secret." F

Redal, Redalu: "Dance." F, but could be a quirky name for a boy.

Rishak: "Wildcat." Prepare for a handful. U

Ruusar: "Foundation." I know we already have Ruusan, but this has another shade of meaning. M

Senak: "Raptor, Bird of Prey." M

Serim: "Accurate, Right, Correct." U

Shev: "Silent." From shev'la. M, U

Shorak: "Marine Predator." Think sharks and saltwater crocs and leviathans. M

Suum: "Beyond." For the kid who transcends, goes above and beyond the call of duty. U, F

Tal: "Blood." We know family is more than bloodline, but sometimes you want your kid to know they will always belong and have a place to come back to. M

Tebec: "Ammo." Because you need it. M

Tenn: "Open." We all like open people. They're easy to trust. M

Tola: "Joined, Connected." For when you want your kid to have meaningful connections in life. M

Tome: "Together." For those who know the strength of team and family. F, with strong U

Tracinya: "Flame." F

Tracyn: "Fire." M These two names are nearly just different forms of each other; it's mostly my English-speaker tendencies that make Tracinya sound more feminine. Due to its resemblance to Tracy, you could use Tracinya in the real world without having to answer the same stupid questions all the time.

Veman: "Real, Genuine." A priceless kind of person. M, U

Verbur: "Loyalty." Like naming your kid Semper Fi. U

Vercopa, Verco: "Wish, Dream." One sounds more feminine, the other masculine.

This covers names I put together because my brain is wierd.

Akalika: Short for "akaan'uliik," meaning lion or someone always in the thickest of the fight.

Ani'kad: "Total Sword."

Anikyr: "Total End." One with the power to stop everything dead.

Beskad: Literally beskar saber, but if you add a beten you get "iron man." Or you could leave it an unstated play on words.

Evoya: "New Life."

Jaiga: Waaaay short for "jai'galaarla sur'haaise," the shriek-hawk eyes emblem bestowed in recognition of exceptional actions.

Mesh'kot: "Beautiful Strength."

Taroy: "Ten Games, Ten Lives." Implication: unkillable. Someone who just does not die.

Venkad: "Sword of the Good Future."

What do you think? What are some of the most powerful names on the list? The most Mando? Any that perhaps shouldn't have made the list or don't sound as good out loud as they did in my head? Let me know in the comments section down below . . .