Adelaide University's recent adoption of the Kaurna name "Tirkangkaku" has prompted a response from Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi (KWP), who say they were not consulted in the naming process.

The name, which the university says means "Place of Learning," was proposed by Senior Kaurna Elder Dr Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O'Brien AO and announced on Friday 18 July.

In its announcement, the university said the name emerged through consultation with Aboriginal staff and the University of South Australia's Purkarninthi Elders in Residence, and that cultural consent was formally provided by Kaurna Warra Karrpanthi (KWK).

KWP, a Kaurna language committee hosted by the University of Adelaide since 2002, issued a statement following the announcement, saying it had no involvement in the decision.

"Other than one brief meeting at the University of Adelaide on May 12, there has been no consultation or any other direct communication by Adelaide University or the University of Adelaide with KWP," the group said.

KWP also questioned the composition of the name "Tirkangkaku," stating that the term does not accurately translate to "Place of Learning."

They say the suffix "-ku" is misplaced, rendering the phrase grammatically incorrect in Kaurna.

"The phrase actually translates as 'Learning Place's' or 'of Learning Place'," the statement said.

"What does the learning place own? This is not obvious."

The group added that "Tirkangka" already contains the meaning of "place", and that the English-style construction and pronunciation used in the university's promotional video do not reflect proper Kaurna usage.

Kaurna Elder Uncle Tim Agius said the wider Kaurna community had not been consulted in the process.

"That while Dr Lewis Yarlupurka O'Brien AO presented this Kaurna name to the new Adelaide University on behalf of the Kaurna Community, neither the Adelaide University nor Dr O'Brien had consulted the Kaurna Community, its Members, Native Title Holders and Traditional Owners," he said.

"The Registered Native Title Body Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation (KYAC) who represents the Kaurna Community, had no knowledge of this significant step either."

In response, an Adelaide University spokesperson told National Indigenous Times cultural consent for the name had been formally provided by KWK.

"The name was proposed by Senior Kaurna Elder, Dr Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O'Brien AO in consultation with the University of South Australia's Purkarninthi Elders in Residence," the spokesperson said.

"On application from the Adelaide University Transition Council, cultural consent was formally provided by Kaurna Warra Karrpanthi (KWK), the leading Kaurna community organisation dedicated to Kaurna language revitalisation."