Balinese Castes and Names: How to Tell Status and Birth Order by Name

Interesting facts about Balinese culture. Castes and names In Bali, the caste system still exists. A person’s name can show which caste they belong to. ⸻ 🕉 Brahmins • Who they are: priests, teachers, keepers of knowledge. • Names: • Men: Ida Bagus • Women: Ida Ayu ⸻ ⚔️ Kshatriyas • Who they are: aristocracy, rulers, military. • Names/titles: • Anak Agung • Tjokorda / Cokorda • I Gusti Ngurah • Dewa Agung • Also: I Gusti, Dewa, Desak ⸻ 💰 Vaishyas • Who they are: merchants, landowners, officials. • Names/titles: • Ngakan • Kompyang • Sang • Si • Sometimes: Gusti, Dewa, Desak ⸻ 🌾 Shudras • Who they are: farmers, artisans, 90% of the population. • Names depend on birth order: • 1st child: Wayan, Putu, Gede (f. – Ni Luh, Ni Putu, Ni Gede) • 2nd child: Made, Kadek, Nengah (f. – Ni Made, Ni Kadek, Ni Nengah) • 3rd child: Nyoman, Komang (f. – Ni Nyoman, Ni Komang) • 4th child: Ketut (f. – Ni Ketut) • 5th and beyond: the cycle repeats — for example, Wayan Balik ⸻ 👉 Now, by knowing a name, you can immediately understand both the caste and the child’s place in the family.