Norgay was originally called Namgyal Wangdi, but as a child his name was changed on the advice of the head lama and founder of Rongbuk Monastery, Ngawang Tenzin Norbu. Tenzing Norgay translates as wealthy-fortunate-follower-of-religion. His father, a Tibetan yak herder, was Ghang La Mingma (d. 1949), and his Tibetan mother was Dokmo Kinzom (who lived to see him climb Everest); he was the 11th of 13 children, most of whom died young.