Peru App Helps Parents Choose Indigenous Names for Newborns

Choosing a name for a newborn can be a significant decision, and Peru's National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (Reniec) is offering a unique solution. The institution has launched an application named 'Sutichay Wawa' to assist parents in selecting original names for their children from a diverse list drawn from 11 native languages of Peru.

The 'Sutichay Wawa' app serves as a gateway to Peru's rich linguistic heritage. It offers name suggestions in languages such as Quechua, Aymara, Awajún, and Asháninka, among others. Beyond name selection, the platform aims to educate users about the history of indigenous peoples and the importance of bilingual civil registration, thereby celebrating the country's vast cultural and linguistic diversity.

To use the application, parents can access it via a provided link. Once on the platform, they can explore the 'History of Indigenous Peoples,' use the 'Search for Original Names of Peru' tool, or engage with 'Join the Recovery of Original Names of Peru.' The name search function is particularly robust, allowing users to input a known indigenous name for more information, search by alphabetical order, filter by specific languages, or even enter a meaning in Spanish to find a corresponding native word.

The app features names from a wide array of indigenous languages, including Achuar, Aymara, Ashaninka, Awajún, Eseeja, Jaqaru, Kukuma, Kukamiria, Matsés, Matsigenka, Quechua, and Wampis. Examples of Awajún names include Achayáp and Antún, while Ashaninka names like Ako and Aabana are also available, alongside numerous other options across all featured languages. Reniec encourages participation in preserving these linguistic traditions through the app.