Guide
Old and modern spellings of Indonesian names
Soekarno and Sukarno, or Djoko and Joko, can reflect different spelling conventions for a related name. Knowing the historical patterns helps you search and read names while respecting the spelling each person uses.
Older spellings help explain Soekarno/Sukarno and Djoko/Joko. The oe → u change began in 1947; other changes followed with EYD in 1972. Many people kept their name spellings. IndonesianNames groups related variants in one entry without changing anyone’s name.
What were the Van Ophuijsen, Soewandi, and EYD systems?
Van Ophuijsen: introduced in 1901
This system used spellings such as oe, dj, tj, and j for sounds now written u, j, c, and y. These older forms survive in personal names.
Soewandi: introduced in 1947
Also called Republican Spelling, this reform changed oe to u. That change therefore predates the better-known 1972 reform.
EYD: introduced in 1972
Ejaan yang Disempurnakan, usually translated as Perfected Spelling, introduced changes including dj → j and tj → c. Later revisions followed; this guide focuses on the historical changes useful for reading names.
Old Indonesian spelling to modern spelling: a comparison
| Old letters | Modern letters | Reading example | Reform |
|---|---|---|---|
| oe | u | Soekarno → Sukarno | 1947 |
| dj | j | Djoko → Joko | 1972 |
| tj | c | Tjahjo → Cahyo, also applying j → y | 1972 |
| j | y | Jogjakarta → Yogyakarta, also applying dj → j | 1972 |
| nj | ny | njonja → nyonya | 1972 |
| sj | sy | sjarat → syarat | 1972 |
| ch | kh | achir → akhir | 1972 |
Why do Achmad, Rizky, and Mochammad have different spellings?
Names derived from Arabic also reflect transliteration choices and family usage. Indonesian spelling reforms do not explain every difference.
Achmad and Ahmad
These are related name variants, but ch → kh alone does not explain the relationship: applying it mechanically would not produce Ahmad. See the Ahmad entry.
Rizky and Rizki
The final y/i variation is not the historical j → y change. It reflects name-writing conventions. See the Rizky entry.
Muhammad and Mochammad
Related forms include Mohammad, Mohamad, and Muhamad. Their differences involve vowel and consonant spellings; changing ch to kh cannot turn Mochammad into Muhammad.
How to look up an Indonesian name with an older spelling
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Start with the person’s spelling
Search for the name as its owner writes it. Keep that spelling when recording your findings.
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Read the variant explanation
Check whether the connection involves a spelling reform, transliteration, or established name usage. Similar-looking letters alone do not establish a relationship.
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Check pronunciation
Use the pronunciation guide as a starting point. A name’s pronunciation may vary with family usage, regional practice, and the person’s preference.
How does IndonesianNames group spelling variants?
IndonesianNames groups recognized variants of the same name in one entry so readers can explore their spellings, meanings, and explanations together. The entry heading serves as a reference point, not a spelling everyone must adopt. Grouping considers spelling relationships and the origin of the forms, rather than visual similarity alone. Grouping name variants also does not mean that records about two people refer to the same individual.
What should you check when comparing name spellings?
- Use the person’s own spelling when referring to them.
- Historical j can represent modern y; do not replace every j in a present-day name.
- The ch → kh rule does not automatically apply to every name containing ch.
- Tradition labels describe names; they do not establish a bearer’s religion, ethnicity, caste, region, or character.
- Any popularity figures on this site describe a sample of recorded names, not Indonesia’s national population.
Common questions about old Indonesian name spellings
Did oe become u in 1972?
The change began earlier, with the Soewandi reform in 1947. The 1972 EYD reform introduced other changes, including dj → j, tj → c, and j → y.
Are Soekarno and Sukarno different names?
The forms are connected through oe → u and can be discussed as variants in a name dictionary. When referring to a particular person, preserve the spelling they use.
Why does Tjahjo correspond to Cahyo rather than Cahjo?
Two historical changes apply: tj becomes c, and old j becomes y. Together they produce Cahyo. This spelling correspondence does not require someone named Tjahjo to change their name.
Should Jogja always be changed to Yogya?
No automatic replacement is appropriate. Historical Jogjakarta corresponds to Yogyakarta, but the shortened form Jogja also functions as a popular place name. It cannot simply be treated as old text awaiting conversion.
Does an older spelling reveal someone’s age or background?
A name alone cannot establish that. Families may preserve or choose older spellings in different generations. A spelling does not prove someone’s age, religion, ethnicity, caste, regional origin, or character.
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