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With over 17000 islands and several regional languages, Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelagic state. From various tribes and clans to foreign influences, Indonesia boasts a diverse and colorful culture, and Indonesian surnames are a unique way to learn about it. Indonesia is the home of many tribes and ethnic groups, including Toba Batak, Malay, Betawi, Javanese, Sundanese, Austronesians, and more, which are reflected in their surname traditions. Moreover, their last names are also rooted in other languages, such as Arabic, Sanskrit, and Chinese. Thus, these names can tell much about the country’s history, ancestral lineages, religious traditions, and habitation.
However, Indonesians don’t follow the Western tradition of having a first name, a middle name, and a last name. Irrespective of the number of words in a name, it’s thought to be a single given name. So, keep reading to unravel the fascinating world of Indonesian surnames.
Key Pointers
- Indonesian surnames are diverse and vary according to region and religious practices.
- Indonesian surnames are often influenced by Dutch, Chinese, Sanskrit, Arabic, and other languages.
- Ginting, Karo-Karo, Tampubolon, and Perangin-angin are some examples of surnames derived from the name of the Batak clans.
150+ Popular Indonesian Last Names Or Family Names
Indonesian last names showcase the influences of diverse regional and foreign languages and other historical and religious changes in the country over the years. Dive into this extensive list of Indonesian surnames to learn more about the culture and the people.
1. Ackbar
Derived from the Arabic roots, Ackbar is an Indonesian surname transferred from the Arabic given name Akbar. It means ‘great’ or ‘greatest’ in Arabic.
2. Ajartambun
Ajartambun is an Indonesian surname of Karo Batak origin. It is common among Karo people of Sumatra Island in Indonesia.
3. Akol
Originating from Sundanese, the surname Akol refers to the ‘last name from dad’s side.’
4. Al-Amri
Derived from the Arabic language, this surname may have originated from the name of the Bedouin Arab tribe, Awamir.
5. Alim
The Indonesian surname Alim comes from the Arabic given name Alim, meaning ‘learned,’ ‘expert,’ or ‘scholar.’
6. Assagaf
Assagaf is an occupation surname and a variant of the Arabic surname Al Saqqaf, meaning ‘the roofer.’
7. Asmoredjo
Originating from the Indonesian language, Asmoredjo is a native Indonesian surname. Reinier Asmoredjo, who is a Surinamese artist of Javanese descent, is a notable bearer of this surname.
8. Babo
Babo is a surname of the Karo Batak origin.
9. Bakhtiar
Transferred from the given name, Bakhtiar is a Persian name and surname, meaning ‘lucky’ or ‘fortunate.’
10. Bangun
Originating from the Karo clan of the North Sumatra Islands, Bangun is a sub-surname of the Perangin-angin surname or clan (1).
11. Banjar
The surname Banjar is used by the Banjar people and is derived from the Javanese word mbanjarke, meaning ‘separate’ or ‘organize.’
12. Batawi
Batawi is an Indonesian surname originating from Betawi, referring to an indigenous ethnic group of Jakarta. It comes from the Latin name Batavia, meaning ‘good island.’ Batavia is also known to be the capital of the Dutch East Indies.
13. Batubara
Originating from Batak, an Austronesian language of the Batak people in North Sumatra Island of Indonesia, the surname Batubara means ‘coal.’
14. Benjerang
The subsurname Benjerang originates from the Perangin-angin surname or clan name of the Karo people of the North Sumatra Islands, Indonesia (1).
15. Br Ginting
The surname Br Ginting is the feminine adaptation of the major Bataknese clan name or surname, Ginting. Here the prefix Br is used for Bataknese women of the Karo tribe.
16. Br Maharaja
Br Maharaja is the feminine variant of the Maharaja surname of Batak origin.
17. Br Regar
The surname Br Regar indicates the Bataknese women of the Regar family of the Batak clan of Indonesia. It is also a variant of the surname Br Siregar.
18. Br Sinaga
Br Sinaga is the feminine form of the Sinaga family name of the Batak people.
19. Br Siregar
The surname Br Siregar is the feminine form of the Siregar family name, where the prefix Br is used to indicate Bataknese women of the clan.
20. Br Tarigan
With Batak origin, Br Tarigan is the feminine variant of the family name Tarigan.
21. Bugis
The surname Bugis is used to refer to the Bugis people, an Austronesian ethnic group from the south-western province of Sulawesi Island.
22. Bukit
Originating from the Indonesian language, Bukit is a locational surname meaning ‘hill.’
23. Cancer
Cancer is a rare Indonesian surname, which means ‘crab’ in Latin.
24. Capah
The sub-surname Capah is used by the Karo Batak people of the Ginting clan.
Trivia25. Danial
Danial is an Indonesian surname derived from the given name Danyal, which itself is a Turkish form of Daniel. Daniel means ‘God is my judge’ in Hebrew.
26. Damanik
The Batak surname Damanik is derived from the Simalungun Batak word si mada, meaning ‘owner’, and manik, meaning ‘charismatic,’ ‘noble,’ or ‘intelligent.’
27. Datubara
Datubara is a variant of the Batak surname Batubara, meaning ‘coal.’
28. Dewi
Originating from the Sanskrit name Devi, meaning ‘goddess,’ Dewi is an Indonesian surname, which is also used as a given name.
29. Faden
Faden is a locational surname referring to the people from the Indonesian city of Padang, which means ‘field’ or ‘plain.’
30. Felemban
The surname Felemban is a locational surname hailing from the city of Palembang in South Sumatra, Indonesia.
31. Gajah
Derived from the Sanskrit word Gaju, the surname Gajah means ‘elephant.’
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32. Ginting
Ginting is one of the five major clans of the Karo people living in the North Sumatra Island, Indonesia (1). This name is used as a surname by the people belonging to the clan.
33. Gozal
Meaning ‘beautiful,’ Gozal is an Indonesian surname and Azerbaijani given name. Indonesian sprinter Johannes Edouard Willem Gozal, who represented Indonesia at the 1956 and 1960 Summer Olympics, is a notable bearer of this surname.
34. Gulo
The surname Gulo comes from the name of the Nias clan of North Sumatra Island, Indonesia.
35. Gumulya
A common Indonesian surname, Gumulya’s meaning is uncertain. Professional tennis players and sisters Sandy Gumulya and Beatrice Gumulya, who have played in several national and international tournaments, are significant bearers of this surname.
36. Gunawan
Taken from the Indonesian term guna, Gunawan means ‘virtuous’ or ‘noble.’ Alternatively, Gunawan is also an Indonesian version of various Chinese surnames, including Chen and Guo.
37. Gurusinga
The Batak surname Gurusinga has Sanskritic roots and is made with the combination of the word guru, meaning ‘mentor’, and singa, meaning ‘lion.’
38. Habibie
Commonly found among the natives of Gorontalo province of Indonesia, Habibie is an Arabic-derived Indonesian surname. It comes from the Arabic surname Habibi, which stems from Habib, meaning ‘beloved’ in Arabic.
39. Hasibuan
The surname Hasibuan comes from the name of a Toba Batak clan living in the North Sumatra Island.
40. Hasyim
Derived from the Arabic given name Hashim, the Indonesian surname Hasyim or Hassim means ‘breaker’ or ‘crusher’ in Arabic.
41. Hidayat
Hidayat is both a given name and surname among Indonesians. It is an Arabic-derived name, meaning ‘guidance’.
42. Hippy
The surname Hippy is a rare Indonesian surname that originated from Sulawesi Island, Indonesia.
43. Huby
Huby is a geographical surname of French and Indonesian people. The surname means ‘dwelling of Hugh’, derived from the given name Hugh, which means ‘heel spur of land.’
44. Hutabalian
The locational surname Hutabalian is of Batak origin. It is derived from the elements Batak huta, meaning ‘area’, and balian, meaning ‘rice field’ or ‘farm.’
45. Hutabarat
Hutabarat is yet another locational surname of Batak origin. It is derived from the Batak elements huta, meaning ‘village’ or ’area’, and barat meaning ‘west.’
46. Hutagalung
The surname comes from the Batak elements huta and galung, which means ‘embankment’ or ‘cleared field.’
47. Hutagaol
Another surname of Batak origin, it combines the Batak element huta with gaol, meaning ‘banana.’
48. Hutajulu
This locational surname combines the Batak elements huta with julu, meaning ‘upstream.’
49. Hutapea
The locational surname Hutapea is of Batak origin, derived from the Batak elements huta, meaning ‘place’, and pea, meaning ‘marsh,’ ‘swamp,’ or ‘reservoir.’
50. Hutauruk
This surname comes from the Batak elements huta and uruk, meaning ‘upper’ or ‘above.’ Uruk is also used to refer to bone leaves, which is a type of plant.
51. Karo-Karo
Karo-karo is among the five major clans of the Karo Batak people. Used as a surname by the people of the clan, It consists of about 18 sub-surnames of Indonesian origin (1).
Did you know?52. Kurniawan
Kurniawan is an Indonesian-Chinese surname with several meanings depending on the Chinese characters used. Some of its meanings are ‘to allow,’ ‘ancient,’ or ‘mound.’
53. Kusharjanto or Kusharyanto
The Indonesian surname Kusharyanto is of unknown meaning. Indonesian badminton player Tri Kusharjanto is a notable person with this surname.
54. Lais
Lais is an Indonesian surname derived from the traditional Middle Chinese surname Lai, which means ‘depend on’ or ‘trust on’.
55. Lasuki
The surname Lasuki is the adaptation of the traditional Middle Chinese surname Lai.
56. Laya
Laya is also a variation of the traditional Middle Chinese surname Lai.
57. Lee
Along with Korean, Vietnamese, Hmong, Thai, Khmer, Lao, Burmese, and many more languages, Lee is also an Indonesian surname. It is derived from the Chinese surname Li, meaning ‘black’ or ‘plum tree’ in Chinese.
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58. Lestari
The Indonesian surname Lestari means ‘eternal’ or ‘long-lasting’ in English. Indonesian singer and actress Bunga Citra Lestari is a significant figure with this surname.
59. Lie
The surname Lie is an Indonesian spelling variant of the surname Li, meaning ‘plum tree’ in Chinese.
60. Lubis
The locational surname Lubis is of Batak origin of North Sumatra Island. It is derived from the name of a place around Lake Toba. The name Lubis also means ‘strong’ in Batak.
61. Lumbanbatu
Lumbanbatu is a locational surname of Batak origin, derived from the Batak elements lumban, meaning ‘village’ or ‘hamlet,’ and batu meaning ‘stone.’
62. Lumbangaol
This surname comes from the Batak elements lumban and gaol, meaning ‘banana.’
63. Lumbantobing
The surname combines the Batak elements lumban, meaning ‘village’ or ‘hamlet’ with tobing, meaning ‘riverbank.’
64. Lumbantoruan
With Batak roots, the surname Lumbantoruan is made of the terms lumban and toruan, meaning ‘lower village or area’.
65. Maharaja
Maharaja is a Batak surname as well as a given name. It originates from the Sanskritic root, meaning ‘great ruler’ or ‘great king.’
66. Manalu
The Batak surname Manalu is used to refer to a Batak ethnic flag and other symbols. It consists of the colors white, red, and black. It is also used as a given name.
67. Mandagi
Mandagi is a unique surname commonly found among the Indonesian indigenous ethnic group, Minahasa. Indonesian professional footballer, Gerri Martin Milliam Mandagi, is a notable bearer of this surname.
68. Matheas
The surname Matheas comes from the given name Matheas, which is a variant of the Greek name Matthias or Matthew, meaning ‘Gift of God’ in Hebrew.
69. Mawar
Mawar is an Indonesian language surname, which translates to ‘rose.’ This surname is derived from the nickname Mawar.
Trivia70. Mila
The surname Mila is primarily used in Spain; however, there are many Indonesian families with this surname. Indonesian actress and model Jessica Mila is one such notable figure with the surname.
71. Muis
Derived from the Dutch word muis meaning ‘mouse,’ it is a Dutch-Indonesian surname.
72. Mulyani
Mulyani is an Indonesian surname and a given name. It is a Sanskrit-derived name that comes from the Indonesian word mulia, meaning ‘noble’ or ‘honorable.’
73. Nainggolan
Originating from the Batak language of Indonesia, Nainggolan is a locational surname derived from the village name on the Island of Sumatra, Indonesia.
74. Nangka
The surname Nangka is derived from the Indonesian language and means ‘jackfruit.’
75. Nasoetion
Originating from the Batak language, the surname Nasoetion is the older version of the surname Nasution. This surname means ‘the magical one.’
76. Njoo
A Chinese-Indonesian surname or family name, Njoo is an Indonesian variant of the Chinese surname Yang, meaning ‘willow’ or ‘aspen.’ A Chinese-Indonesian playwright and film director, Njoo Cheong Seng, who wrote more than 200 short stories, novels, poems, and stage plays, was a notable person with this surname.
77. Noer
Noer is a cool Indonesian surname, derived from the Arabic name Nur, meaning ‘light.’ Indonesian poet, theater director, and film producer, Arifin Chairin Noer, was a significant bearer of this surname.
78. Noh
Noh is an Indonesian variant of the personal name Nuh, which comes from the given name Noah, meaning ‘rest’ in Hebrew.
79. Nugroho
The surname Nugroho is a Javanese form of the Indonesian masculine name Nugraha, meaning ‘award’ or ‘bestowment.’ It ultimately comes from the Sanskrit word अनुग्रह (anugraha).
80. Nyaua
Nyaua is a rare Indonesian surname, referring to the descendants of the Pamona tribe in Central Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. The surname means ‘stinging like a hornet.’
81. Nyoo
The surname Nyoo is an Indonesian-Dutch variant of the Chinese surname Yang, meaning ‘willow’ or ‘aspen.’
82. Oey
Small and sweet, this Indonesian surname is of Chinese-Indonesian origin, meaning ‘yellow’ or ‘golden yellow.’ It is the pinyin version of the common Chinese surname Huang and is pronounced as ‘WEE.’
83. Pandjaitan
The Batak surname Pandjain is the older version of the surname Panjaitan via Dutch adaptation. Here, the surname Panjaitan is an occupational surname.
84. Panjaitan
The surname Panjaitan is found among people of the Batak clan in Indonesia. It is an occupational surname, referring to a ‘tailor’ or ‘a sewer.’
85. Pasaribu
Pasaribu is one of the clans of the Toba Batak tribe living in North Sumatra Island, Indonesia. It is derived from the Batak element ribu, meaning ‘thousand.’ Indonesian composer, pianist, and cellist, Amir Pasaribu, was among the first Indonesians to study classical music abroad and is a notable bearer of this surname.
86. Perangin-angin
Perangin-angin is another major surname or clan name of the Karonese people of North Sumatra Island. It consists of about 18 sub-surnames (1).
87. Permana
Permana is an Indonesian surname of Sanskrit origin. It comes from the Sanskrit प्रमाण (pramāṇa), meaning ‘evidence.’
88. Pertiwi
Originating from the Sanskrit word Prithvi (पृथिवी), the surname Petriwi means ‘the Earth.’ Indonesian singer, dancer, and artist, Indah Dewi Pertiwi, is a significant name in the Indonesian music and arts industry with this surname.
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89. Pohon
Pohon is a locational surname, which means ‘tree’ in the Indonesian language.
90. Pratama
The surname Pratama comes from the Sanskrit word प्रतमा, meaning ‘of Chief importance’ or ‘primary.’ Indonesian professional footballer, Dimas Galih Pratama, is a well-known bearer of this surname.
91. Purba
The Batak surname Purba means ‘east’ and is originally derived from the Sanskrit word पूर्व (purva).
92. Putra
Derived from the Sanskrit word पुत्र, meaning ‘son,’ Putra is a common Indonesian and Malay last name. Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, who was the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, was a noteworthy bearer of this surname.
Trivia93. Raees
Originating from the Arabic language, Raees is an Indonesian surname derived from an Arabic nickname or title. It means ‘chief’ or ‘leader’ in Arabic.
94. Rahadian
Rahadian is an Indonesian surname of unknown origin, with Indonesian actor, model, singer, and director, Reza Rahadian, being its significant bearer.
95. Rahayu
Originating from the Sanskrit or Javanese languages, the surname Rahayu means ‘safe,’ ‘prosperous,’ or ‘good.’
96. Rarung
Rarung is a locational surname of people from the Minahasa tribe in the North Sulawesi Island, Indonesia.
97. Rumbia
This surname is derived from the place named Rumbia in Indonesia. It is also inspired by the name of the Indonesian fruit, Rumbia.
98. Rangkuti
Rangkuti is a unique Batak surname that is believed to have originated from the nickname Orang Yang Ditakuti when pronounced rapidly. This surname means ‘the feared one.’ The notable person with this surname includes an Indonesian writer, Hamsad Rangkuti, who won the South East Asian Write Award in 2007.
99. Regar
Originating from the Batak language, the surname Regar is a shortened form or a variant of the surname Siregar. It is the name of one of the clans of the Batak ethnic groups.
100. Ritonga
The surname Ritonga is of Batak origin, derived from the Batak elements ri, meaning ‘grass’ or ‘reed,’ and tonga, meaning ‘middle’ or ‘center.’
101. Santoso
Santoso is an ornamental name and a surname in Indonesia. It is derived from the Javanese word santosa, meaning ‘strong,’ ‘firm’ or ‘steadfast.’ Hoegeng Iman Santoso, who was the Chief of the Indonesian National Police, is known for being the most courageous and honest police official in the country.
102. Saputra
Saputra is an Indonesian last name, meaning ‘a good son.’ It’s derived from the Sanskrit word Suputra (सुपुत्र). It may also mean ‘the first son’ (Sa-putra).
103. Saragih
The surname Saragih is the name of a Simalungun clan of Batak people. It is a nickname-derived surname, made with the combination of the prefix Sa- with the Simalungun element ragih, meaning ‘rule.’
104. Sari
Short and simple, Sari is one of the most common Indonesian surnames, meaning ‘essence’ in Indonesian.
105. Sastrowardoyo
Derived from the Sanskrit language, Sastrowardoyo is an Indonesian surname of Javanese origin. The surname means ‘writings of the heart’ and is the Javanese family name of nobility.
106. Sekewael
Originating from the Negeri Oma, an island of Maluku in Indonesia, the surname Sekewael means ‘the Guardian of the river.’
107. Sembiring
Sembiring is one of the five major clans or surnames of the Karo Batak people.
108. Sepat
The surname Sepat is of Malay and Indonesian origin, referring to the ‘freshwater fish.’
109. Setiawan
Originating from the Indonesian language, the name and last name Setiawan is an ornamental surname, meaning ‘a faithful or loyal person.’
110. Siagian
The surname Siagian is the name of one of the Batak clans of North Sumatra island. It is a locational surname, made with the combination of the prefix si- and the suffix -an, with the Batak word agi, meaning ‘younger sibling.’
111. Siahaan
The Batak surname Siahaan is derived from a nickname, which is used to refer to the ‘eldest child’ or ‘eldest sibling.’
112. Sihombing
Sihombing is an Indonesian surname or family name of the Karo Batak people. It is derived from the combination of the prefix Si, used for a place name with the word hombing of uncertain meaning.
113. Sikumbang
Sikumbang is an Indonesian surname commonly found among the Minangkabau people of Sumatra Island in Indonesia. It is also used as a given name and means ‘black tiger.’
114. Simamora
The surname Simamora is of Batak origin in Indonesia and is derived from the combination of Batak elements- the Batak prefix ‘si’, indicating a place name, with the Batak word mamora, meaning ‘rich,’ ‘prosperous,’ or ‘healthy.’
115. Simarmata
Simarmata is an Indonesian surname made with the combination of the prefix ‘Si’ with the word mata, meaning ‘mother’ in Sanskrit.
116. Simatupang
Simatupang Batak surname is a locational surname derived from the Batak elements; prefix Si refers to a location, while the Batak element tupang means ‘intersection’ or ‘crossway.’
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117. Simbolon
The surname Simbolon is derived from a combination of the Batak prefix Si, indicating a location, with bolon meaning ‘large’ or ‘grand.’
118. Sinaga
Originating from the Batak language, Sinaga is a commonly found surname among Austronesian ethnic groups in Sumatra Islands. The surname means ‘place of the dragon,’ derived from the word naga, meaning ‘dragon or a mythological snake’ with the Batak prefix si.
119. Sinuraya
The surname Sinuraya is made with the Batak prefix si, which is used for a place name, combined with the Batak raya, meaning ‘flow’ in the Sanskrit language.
120. Sirait
Sirait is a locational surname of Batak origin, derived from the Batak element si, which is used for place names, with the Batak element rait, meaning ‘roof frame’ or ‘hook.’
121. Siregar
With uncertain meaning, the surname Siregar is derived from the name of the ancestor of a certain Karo Batak clan.
122. Sitompul
The surname Sitompul is derived from Batak prefix si with the combination of Batak tompul, meaning ‘peace.’
123. Sjah
Of Arabic descent, the Indonesian last name Sjah is a form of the Persian and Arabic title Shah, meaning ‘king’ or ‘emperor.’ Sultan Sjarifuddin Sjah, who was the 49th monarch of North Maluku Island in Indonesia, is the most notable person with this surname.
124. Slamet
The Javanese last name as well as given name Slamet comes from the Arabic word salamat, meaning ‘safety.’ Indonesian weightlifter Winarni Binti Slamet, who won the World Championship in 1997, is a notable bearer of this surname.
125. Subagja
Subagja is an Indonesian surname of unknown meaning. A notable person with this surname is former Indonesian badminton player Ricky Subagja, who is considered one of the greatest doubles specialists in the sport’s history.
126. Sudarso
The surname Sudarso is a Javanese patronymic surname, derived from the masculine given name Sudarsono, which means ‘good messenger.’
127. Sudiro
The surname Sudiro is of Javanese origin and is a patronymic surname. It is derived from the male given name Sudiro or Soediro, meaning ‘candle’ or ‘sacred.’
128. Sugeng
Sugeng is another patronymic Javanese surname, which means ‘safety’ or ‘congratulations’.
129. Suharto
Suharto is a Javanese surname as well as a given name in Indonesia, derived from the Sanskritic roots, Su meaning ‘good’ and artha meaning ‘property.’
130. Sukarno
The Javanese surname Sukarno is derived from the given name Sukarno, meaning ‘good ear.’
131. Sukarnoputri
An Indonesian patronymic last name, Sukarnoputri is a constructed last name, meaning ‘daughter of Sukarno.’ The fifth president of Indonesia, Megawati Sukarnoputri, is the most noteworthy bearer of this last name.
132. Sutanto
The surname Sutanto is an Indonesian or Javanese adaptation of the Chinese surname Tan with the Javanese prefix -Su. Here, the surname Tan ultimately comes from the Chinese surname Chen, meaning ‘exhibit,’ or ‘ancient.’
133. Suparwatiningsih
Suparwatiningsih is a combination of the Indonesian given names Suparwati, referring to the Hindu Goddess Parwati, and Ningsih, meaning ‘love.’
134. Supriyadi
Supriyadi or Supriadi is an Indonesian surname of uncertain meaning. An Indonesian badminton player, Tedi Supriadi, is a well-known bearer of this surname.
135. Sutrisno
Sutrisno or Sutrisna is derived from the word Su, meaning ‘good’, and Javanese trisna, meaning ‘love.’ The sixth vice president of Indonesia, Try Sutrisno, is a popular person with this surname.
136. Tambunan
The surname Tambunan is a locational surname of Batak origin. It is derived from the Batak element Tambun, meaning ‘large’, ‘many,’ or ‘hill.’
137. Tampubolon
Tampubolon is an Indonesian surname of Batak origin. It is made with the combination of Batak elements tampuk, meaning ‘leaf stalk’ or ‘base,’ with bolon, meaning ‘large’ or ‘great.’
138. Tanjung
Tanjung is an Indonesian surname of Minangkabau and Batak origin. It means ‘point,’ ‘headland’ or ‘cape.’ The surname also has several variations, including Tandjung, Tandjoeng, Tanjoeng, and Tanjuan.
139. Tarigan
Originating from Karo descent, Tarigan is another major clan of Karo Batak people.
140. Tobing
A locational surname of Batak origin in Indonesia, Tobing means ‘riverbank’ or ‘edge’ in the Batak language.
141. Togatorop
Togatorop is an Indonesian surname or a family name found among the Batak people of Toba Batak clans from Muara, North Tapanuli island.
142. Toi
Toi is the Indonesian variant of the Chinese surname Cai, which originated from the name of the ancient city named Cai of the Zhou dynasty. It refers to the ‘tortoise used in ancient Chinese rituals.’
143. Virk
The Indonesian surname Virk is derived from the given name Virk, meaning ‘wolf.’
144. Wahab
Transferred from the given name, Wahab is a Malay, Arabic, and Indonesian surname. The name means ‘giver’ or ‘bestower’ in Arabic.
145. Warouw
Originating from the Minahasan indigenous ethnic group of Indonesia, Warouw is an Indonesian surname of uncertain meaning. Anna Warouw, who was the second Indonesian woman physician, was a remarkable bearer of this surname.
146. Wibawa
The Indonesian surname Wibawa comes from the Indonesian word wibawa, which originates from the Sanskrit word विभव (vibhava), meaning ‘authority’ or ‘power.’ Wibowo is a variant of this surname.
147. Wibisono
The Javanese surname Wibisono is derived from the combination of the Javanese words wibi, meaning ‘clarity or bright’, with sono, meaning ‘essence’ or ‘core.’
148. Widjaja
Widjaja is a common Indonesian surname derived from the Indonesian word wijaya, meaning ‘victory.’ Indonesian business magnate Eka Tjipta Widjaja was a significant figure with this surname.
149. Wijaya
Originating from the Sanskrit word विजय (vijaya), Wijaya means ‘victory.’ The Javanese emperor and the first monarch of the Majapahit Empire Raden Wijaya, was the most famous bearer of this surname.
150. Wirahadikusumah
Wirahadikusumah is a patronymic surname, with its family members being active in politics and the military in the 20th century. Umar Wirahadikusumah, who was the fourth vice president of Indonesia and the former army general, was a notable bearer of this surname.
151. Wulandari
The Indonesian surname Wulandari means ‘full moon.’
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152. Yusfi
The surname Yusfi is an Arabic language surname, predominately used by Indonesians. It comes from the given name Yousuf, which ultimately stems from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning ‘he (God) will add.’
153. Zamrun
The surname Zamrun is of Indonesian descent. Twin brothers Zulham Zamrun and Zulvin Zamrun, who are professional Indonesian footballers, are well-known people with this surname.
Cultural Insights On Indonesian Surnames
Indonesian naming conventions stand out from other South Asian cultures. Here, a person’s full name is not divided into a first name and family name. In fact, a person can legally have a single name, such as Suharto or Suprapto, as their full name. However, even when a person carries a patronymic or matronymic last name or a clan name, their entire name, two words or more, is considered a personal name. Surnames in Indonesia have no legal function, as only the first letter of their full name is considered when arranging them alphabetically.
This is not to say that surnames have no function in Indonesian society. Often, they can be used to tell which community or region a person belongs to. For example, Rajagukjuk and Sitompol are clan names commonly associated with people from North Sumatra. Surnames or names can also indicate caste; for instance, I Gusti can indicate a Kshatriya (warrior class) in Balinese society. They can even indicate birth order, where Made is used for a second-born child and Wayan is for the first-born. Name or surname prefixes may indicate a person’s ethnicity as well. If it begins with Su and ends in -o, such as Sukarno, it indicates a person of Javanese descent. Patronymic surnames, such as Sukarnoputri, can indicate whose child a person is. In this case, it means ‘daughter of Sukarno.’
Besides, ranks and professional titles are heavily used in Indonesia as a mark of respect. Numerous languages, religions, and social customs influence the naming culture of the country, making it vibrant and distinctive.
Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it common in Indonesia to not have a last name?
Most Indonesians, especially those of Javanese descent, do not have any last name or surnames. According to the Indonesian naming traditions, Indonesians usually have a one-word name, which is often followed by the father’s name. Even if the name has two or more words, it’s considered a single personal name without any specific surname (2).
2. Do Indonesians put their last name first?
It is not a common practice among Indonesians to put their last name first, however, many Chinese Indonesians do follow this Chinese naming convention. For example, the Indonesian health expert and surgeon, Lie A. Dharmawan, famous for being the founder of the first private floating hospital in Indonesia, uses the Indonesianized Chinese surname Lie before his personal name.
Indonesian last names offer a gateway to understanding the country’s diversity and heritage. They vary for different regions and religions and reflect the influence of major political changes in the country, such as those related to the Dutch and Chinese. Therefore, you can find many Indonesian last names associated with Chinese and Dutch family names. The surnames are also intrinsically connected to one’s identity, symbolizing different clans and tribes native to various regions. They also help us understand the linguistic influences prevalent in the country. Thus, it’s a fascinating lens through which we can understand the people and their lives a little bit better.
Infographic: Popular Nature-Derived Indonesian Surnames
Indonesia, a country blessed with scenic landscapes and breathtaking beaches, inspires several surnames. These Indonesian last names, intricately woven with nature’s elements, reflect the splendor of this island nation. Explore the infographic below to discover these unique connections.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Peace Building To Karo Societies: Daliken Si Telu As The Media Of Religious Conflict Resolution In Kabanjahe.
https://conference.uin-suka.ac.id/index.php/USICON/article/view/188/184 - Indonesian Culture.
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/indonesian-culture/indonesian-culture-naming
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