Other names for Moringa in English
Other names for Moringa in English include:
"Drumstick tree", from the appearance of the long, slender, triangular seed pods.
"Horseradish tree", from the taste of the roots, which can serve as a rough substitute for horseradish.
"Ben oil tree", from the oil derived from the seeds
The Chinese name of the Moringa (辣木), pronounced "la mu" in Mandarin and "lat mok" in Cantonese, means "spicy (hot) wood", and is reminiscent of the English name "horseradish tree".
In some Indian-origin languages, the name is phonetically somewhat similar to Moringa, while in others it is quite different.
In Assamese, it is called Sojina.
In Punjabi, it is called Surajana.
In Tamil, the tree is called Murungai Maram (முருங்கை மரம்) and the fruit is called Murungai-kaai (முருங்கைக்காய்).
In Hindi, it is called sahjan (सहजन).
In Urdu, it is called Sohanjna.
In Marathi, it is called Shevaga (शेवगा).
In Rajasthani, it is called Shenano.
In Malayalam, it is known as Muringa, and the fruit is called Muringakaya or Muringakka.
In Dhivehi (Maldivian) , it is called Muranga.
In Kannada, it is known as Nuggekayee (ನುಗ್ಗೆಕಾಯಿ).
In Tulu, it is known as Noorggaee.
In Telugu, it is known as Munagachettu (మునగచెట్టు), and the fruit is called Munagakaya (మునగకాయ).
In Konkani, it is called Muska Saang or Mashinga Saang.
In Gujarati, it is called Saragvo.
In Oriya, it is called Sajana or Sujuna.
In Bengali, it is called Shojne danta (সজনে ডাঁটা).
In Nepali, it is known as Sajiwan or Swejan.
In Guyana, it is called Sijan.
In Hausa language, it is called Zogale.
In Sinhalese, it is called Murunga.
In Sindhi language, it is called Sohenjara. The fruit may also be called Singi or Singyu [plural].
in Siraiki it is called sohanjra. The flower is called bhata.
In Thai, it is called ma rum (มะรุม).
The Tagalog name in the Philippines - Malunggay - is also phonetically similar to "Moringa". In Ilocano, another Filipino language, it is called Marungay. It is called Kamunggay in Visayan. Malungge in Pampango or Kapampangan. In the Bikol language, it is referred to as Kalunggay.
In Vietnamese, it is called "chùm ngây".
In Haiti, the Moringa is called the benzolive (or benzolivier).
In Nicaragua, the plant is referred to as Marango.
In Indonesian, the Moringa is called kelor (kalor in Malay).
In Javanese, it is called limaran.
In Mooré (Burkina Faso), it is called "Arzan Tiiga," which means "tree of paradise".
In Zarma (Niger), it is called Windi Bundu which means, loosely, "fencepost wood", a reference to its use as live fencing. The leaves are the primary part eaten, and in fact are so common that the Zarma word "kopto", or "leaf", is synonymous with cooked Moringa leaves.
In Dioula (Côte d'Ivoire), it is called "Arjanayiiri".
In Mauritius, the leaves are called "Brède Mouroum", while the drumstick part is known as "Bâton Mouroum".
In Konkani (Goa) it is called Saang or Maska Saang or Mashinga Saang.
In Ilokano it is called marunggay or marunggi.
In Myanmar (Burma) it is called "Dandalun".
In Chichewa language of Malawi they call it " Cham'mwamba"
In Madagascar it is called "ananambo"
Ratilal Sudani, ANAND
Mr. R. B. Sudani [BRS (AG AH) PGDEE]
Director, Bhoojalshree Geotech Consultant
( Gujarat),
Groundwater Survey Division Near Agriculture University Campus, PO Box- 139
Anand (Gujarat)