[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v1.c3.s20.427 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s20.427 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v1.c3.s20.427 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c3.s20.427](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.427) Nāman, ‘name,’ is a common word from the Rigveda onwards. The Gṛhya Sūtras¹ give elaborate rules for the formation of the names of children, but more important is the distinction between the secret (\*guhya\*) and the ordinary name, though the rules as to the secret name are not at all consistent. The secret name is already recognized in the Rigveda,² and is referred to in the Brāhmaṇas,³ one secret name, that of Arjuna for Indra, being given in the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa.⁴ It is to be noted that the rule as to giving the designation of a Nakṣatra (lunar asterism) as the secret name or otherwise is not illustrated by a single recorded name of a teacher in the Brāhmaṇas.⁵ - [Previous: v1.c3.s20.426](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.426) - [Next: v1.c3.s20.428](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.428) - [Up: v1.c3.s20](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.427](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v1.c3.s20.427) · Pramāṇa