THE PERANAKANNyonya Noreen Chan and Baba Lloyd Matthew Tan explore the significance of nicknames within Peranakan families.
Giving pet names or nicknames is a common practice amongst Peranakan families. Sometimes this pet name assumes a life of its own, so that it eventually supplants the actual name. For example, Noreen Chan’s great grandaunt was known as Ee Poh Cho Hum, even though her name was Lim Imm Neo. As a child, she liked to pluck bunga hum siow (a fragrant flower, probably Gardenia) so Hum Siow became her pet name for the rest of her life!
Nicknames could be assigned based on certain characteristics including:
Birth order
The second child was often called “tengah” (literally “middle”) and the youngest “bongsu” or even “baby”.
Appearance/Looks
This could be flattering e.g., “chantek” (pretty) or otherwise e.g., “hidong nuri” (parrot nose) or “mata side” (someone with a squint). “Panjang” (long) and “pendek” (short) might be used to describe especially tall or short persons.
Habits or Characteristics
Noreen Chan’s paternal great-grandmother was known as Mak Payong because she was often seen with an umbrella. Grand uncle Ong Choon Bee was known to his grand nieces and nephews as “Chek Chek Kok-Kok” because he liked to imitate the clucking and crowing of a rooster!
Location
When one had many aunts or uncles, a convenient way of differentiating them would be by address. Ong Quee Neo (daughter of Ong Ewe Hai) had two daughters, Chia Guat Goh known as Koh Poh Seranggong and Chia Guat Beng known as Koh Poh Stevens Road.
Contributed by Callum Tait (Chia Guat Goh’s great grandson)
Noreen Chan’s great-great-grandmother, Yeo Lan Neo (wife of Chia Hood Theam), was known as “Nonya Tawee” because her family hailed from Batawee or Batavia, the old name for Jakarta. She carried this nickname literally to her grave – it is carved on her tombstone in Bukit Brown Cemetery.
Why the use of pet names? It was a cultural tradition based on language, but also an expression of emotional closeness and affection. Often, there was an element of playfulness, a fun and light-hearted way to interact. So even if the nickname might sound unflattering, like “busok” (smelly) and “burok” (ugly), no offense was taken.
Look at your family tree and you will likely find many pet names there!
Lloyd Matthew Tan a sixth-generation Baba. He is a cookbook author with two publications: Daily Nonya Dishes and More Daily Nonya Dishes. He also conducts cooking workshops and caters for private dining sessions. He is currently working on two books with the aim of preserving Baba Malay works.
