Scottish Place-Name Society Spring Conference 2026

 Celebrating a Century of Celtic Place-Name Scholarship in Inverness

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The Scottish Place-Name Society (SPNS) invites scholars, students, and enthusiasts of Scottish toponymy to a landmark event: the Spring Conference 2026, marking the centenary of W.J. Watson's monumental work, The History of the Celtic Place-names of Scotland.

📅 Saturday, 2 May 2026 | 10:30 AM

📍 Cultarlann Inbhir Nis (Inverness Gaelic Centre), Academy Street, Inverness

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A Centenary Celebration

2026 marks 100 years since the publication of William J. Watson's groundbreaking study, The History of the Celtic Place-names of Scotland (1926) - a work that remains the foundational text for Scottish toponymic research. Watson's meticulous etymological analysis of Gaelic, Pictish, Brittonic, and Norse place-names across Scotland transformed the field and continues to guide researchers today.

This special conference honors Watson's legacy while exploring how contemporary place-name scholarship builds upon and extends his pioneering work.

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Conference Programme

The Spring Conference features presentations by six distinguished speakers, each addressing different aspects of Scottish place-name studies: Roddy Maclean, Robbie Black, Jacob King, Nevis Hulme, Peadar Morgan, Sarah Hobbs. The programme will explore themes ranging from Celtic place-name etymology and historical linguistics to contemporary place-name research methodologies and community engagement with toponymic heritage.

(Detailed abstracts and session titles will be available via the SPNS website)

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Optional Place-Name Walk: Following in Watson's Footsteps

Sunday, 3 May 2026 | Starting 11:00 AM

Conference attendees are invited to join an optional place-name walk through Inverness, exploring the toponymic landscape of the Highland capital.

Highlights:

• Starting point: Town House, Inverness
• Route: A guided walk through historically significant sites
• Conclusion: Watson's grave at Tomnahurich (the "Hill of the Fairies")

This poignant walk allows participants to:

• Examine Inverness place-names in situ
• Discuss local toponymic features with expert guides
• Pay respects at the final resting place of W.J. Watson himself at Tomnahurich Cemetery

The walk offers a fitting tribute to Watson, combining scholarly exploration with personal connection to the man whose work shaped the field.

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📅 Saturday, 2 May 2026 | 10:30 AM
📍 Cultarlann Inbhir Nis, Inverness
🌐 Registration: https://spns.org.uk/

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Tha fàilte oirbh uile! (You are all welcome!)

No, Your Ancestors’ Names Were Not Changed at Ellis Island

 

It is the most persistent myth in American family history: the overwhelmed or malicious clerk who unilaterally altered a family’s identity at the port of entry. Whether framed as a clerical error or an act of xenophobia, historical records show that this scenario was not only unlikely - it was impossible. Join Chief Genealogist Caitlin Hollander Waas as she deconstructs this legend by examining the administrative mechanics of the immigration process and the specific records created at the port of entry. This session moves beyond the myth to explore the genuine legal, social, and economic motivations behind name changes, revealing how immigrants navigated their new identities, not as victims of a clerical error, but as active participants in their own American narratives. 

About the Speaker:

Caitlin Hollander Waas is JewishGen’s chief genealogist, as well as being on staff at the Peter and Mary Kalikow Jewish Genealogy Center at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. She has been a professional genealogist for over a decade, beginning in the world of forensic genealogy specializing in high value estate cases, as well as researching for private clients and consulting for books. In addition, her citizenship reclamation work has been featured in Family Tree Magazine, The Times of Israel, and the South Florida Sun Sentinel, among other publications. She holds a degree in Anthropology, as well as additional certificates in Jewish Studies and Holocaust and Genocide Studies. 

From Aaliyah to Öyvind: Isof Unveils the Definitive Guide to Sweden’s Evolving Name Landscape

 What do our names reveal about identity, migration, and cultural change? Isof has launched the long-awaited new edition of First Names in Sweden - a meticulously updated lexicon capturing how Swedish naming has transformed over two decades.

More than 500 new names grace this edition, reflecting Sweden’s dynamic 21st-century journey: migration introducing names like Aisha and Kilian, global influences popularizing Meja, and creative reinventions of classics (did you know Therese appears in 15+ spellings?). From biblical roots and runestone-era names to modern favorites like Liam and Alba, the book spans Sweden’s entire naming heritage.

Based on Statistics Sweden (SCB) data, it documents ~1,800 names (and variants) with at least 400 bearers nationwide - plus every almanac name. Each entry reveals origin, meaning, historical usage, peak popularity, current frequency, and notable namesakes. Beyond reference, it’s a cultural mirror: how globalization, migration, and the quest for uniqueness reshape identity.

As Katharina Leibring (Associate Professor of Nordic Languages, author of new sections) reflects:

"Naming is how we order the world and express tenderness. Our name is part of our identity - deeply existential. Without a name, we do not exist."

Perfect for expectant parents, educators, linguists, or the casually curious, the volume also includes:
🔹 Historical overview of Swedish naming
🔹 Almanac name traditions
🔹 Sweden’s naming law explained
🔹 Extensive bibliography

429 pages | Print & PDF
A timeless resource for anyone who has ever wondered: What’s in a name?

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Svenska

Från Aaliyah till Öyvind: Isof lanserar den nya upplagan av "Förnamn i Sverige"

Vad berättar våra förnamn om identitet, migration och samhällsförändringar? Isof har nu släppt den efterlängtade nya upplagan av Förnamn i Sverige – ett omfattande lexikon som fångar hur svenska namn har förvandlats under mer än tjugo år.

Över 500 nya namn har tillkommit: migration som för med Aisha och Kilian, globala influenser som gör Meja populärt, och kreativa omtolkningar av klassiker (t.ex. Therese i minst 15 stavningar). Från bibliska namn och runinskrifter till dagens favoriter som Liam och Alba – lexikonet täcker hela Sveriges namnhistoria.

Baserat på SCB:s statistik omfattar boken ca 1 800 namn (och varianter) med minst 400 bärare – samt samtliga almanacksnamn. För varje namn: ursprung, betydelse, historik i Sverige, popularitetstrender och kända namnbärare. Mer än en uppslagsbok – en kulturell spegel av hur migration, globalisering och strävan efter unikt uttryck formar våra identiteter.

Katharina Leibring (docent i nordiska språk, författare till de nya delarna) sammanfattar kärnan:

"Att ge namn är ett sätt att ordna världen och uttrycka ömhet. Vårt namn är en del av vår identitet – något djupt existentiellt. Utan namn finns vi inte."

Boken riktar sig till blivande föräldrar, lärare, språkintresserade och alla som funderar över namnets betydelse. Inkluderar även:
🔹 Historisk översikt av svenska förnamn
🔹 Almanackans roll och namnlängder
🔹 Personnamnslagens regler förklarade
🔹 Utförlig källförteckning

429 sidor | Tryckt & digital (PDF)
En ovärderlig guide för alla som någonsin undrat: Vad betyder mitt namn?

A PhD Opportunity to Study Names in Norway's Multicultural Society

 The University of Bergen is offering a four-year PhD scholarship in personal name research (personnamngransking) through Norway's newly established Center for Norwegian Academic Language (Fagspråksenteret). This unique position invites candidates to explore how naming practices evolve in increasingly diverse societies.

What Makes This Research Special?

This isn't just about cataloging names - it's about understanding identity, integration, and cultural dialogue. The project focuses on how personal naming traditions in Norway have transformed since 1970, when immigration began to reshape the country's demographic landscape.

Key research questions include:

• How do majority and minority naming traditions interact?
• How does Norwegian legislation accommodate international naming systems?
• How do personal names reflect identity, belonging, and cultural background?
• How can naming data illuminate broader social processes like assimilation and cultural integration?

The Research Environment

The successful candidate will join Arbeidspakke 4 (Work Package 4) at Fagspråksenteret, a national initiative funded by the Research Council of Norway (2025–2033). This center brings together researchers from institutions across Norway - including the University of Oslo, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and several university colleges - to advance Norwegian language research in terminology, academic language, lexicography, and onomastics.

What You'll Do

• Conduct original socio-onomastic and sociolinguistic research
• Complete a PhD dissertation (2.5 years)
• Gain teaching and academic communication experience (1 year)
• Participate in a dynamic, interdisciplinary academic community

Who Should Apply?

Candidates must hold a Master's degree in relevant fields such as linguistics, sociology, history, religious studies, or cultural studies. Strong skills in a Scandinavian language and English are required.

The position offers a gross annual salary of NOK 568,700 (approximately €47,000), membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, and the opportunity to live in Bergen - a city uniquely positioned between urban life and stunning natural landscapes.

Why This Matters

In an era of global migration and cultural exchange, understanding how names function across different traditions has never been more relevant. This research contributes directly to public administration of names and helps shape policies that respect both Norwegian heritage and multicultural realities.

For scholars passionate about onomastics, sociolinguistics, or cultural identity, this represents a rare opportunity to conduct meaningful research with real-world impact.

Applications require a research proposal (up to 12,000 characters) outlining how your project will contribute to personal name research as fundamental scholarship. The position starts as soon as possible.

En doktorgradsstillinɡ for å utforske navn i Noregs fleirkulturelle samfunn

Universitetet i Bergen tilbyr ei fireårig stipendiatstilling i personnamngransking gjennom det nyleg oppretta Fagspråksenteret – eit nasjonalt satsingsområde finansiert av Forskningsrådet (2025–2033). Denne sjeldne stillinga inviterer kandidatar til å granske korleis namnegransking speglar identitet, integrering og kulturell dialog i eit stadig meir mangfaldig samfunn.

Kva gjer denne forskinga spesiell?

Dette handlar ikkje berre om å katalogisere namn – det handlar om å forstå korleis personnamn fungerer som levande uttrykk for tilhøyrsle. Prosjektet fokuserer på korleis norske namnetradisjonar har utvikla seg sidan 1970-talet, då innvandringa byrja å omforma det demografiske landskapet.

Sentrale forskingsspørsmål:

• Korleis møtest majoritets- og minoritetsnamnetradisjonar?
• Korleis tilpassar norsk lovgjeving internasjonale namnesystem?
• Korleis speglar personnamn identitet, tilhøyrsle og kulturell bakgrunn?
• Korleis kan namnedata kaste lys over samfunnsprosessar som fornorsking og kulturell integrering?

Forskningsmiljøet

Den utvalde kandidaten vil bli del av Arbeidspakke 4 ved Fagspråksenteret – eit tverrfagleg samarbeid mellom institusjonar over heile landet, inkludert UiO, NTNU og fleire høgskular. Senteret byggjer bro mellom grunnforsking og offentleg forvalting, med mål om å styrke norsk språkforsking innan terminologi, fagspråk, leksikografi og namnegransking.

Kva vil du gjere?

• Gjennomføre original socioonomastisk og sosiolingvistisk forsking
• Skrive doktoravhandling (2,5 år)
• Undervise og formidle (1 år)
• Delta i eit dynamisk, tverrfagleg forskingsmiljø i Bergen

Kven bør søkje? Du må ha mastergrad innan relevante fag som språkvitskap, sosiologi, historie eller kulturvitskap, samt sterke ferdigheiter i eit skandinavisk språk og engelsk. Stillinga tilbyr årsløn på kr 568 700, medlemskap i Statens pensjonskasse, og moglegheit til å bu i Bergen – ein by som kombinerer byliv med nærleik til fjord og fjell.

Kvifor dette spelar ei rolle

I ein tid med global migrasjon og kulturell utveksling har forståinga av korleis namn fungerer over kulturgrenser aldri vore viktigare. Denne forskinga vil direkte støtte offentleg namneforvalting og bidra til politikk som respekterer både norsk kulturarv og fleirkulturelle realitetar.

For forskarar med lidenskap for namn, språk og identitet representerer dette ei sjeldan høve til å gjere forsking med verkleg samfunnsrelevans.

Søknaden må innehalde ein prosjektskisse (maks 12 000 teikn) som viser korleis ditt prosjekt vil styrkje personnamngransking som grunnforsking. Stillinga startar snarast.

e-Onomastics: Celebrating 4 Million Visits

Today marks an extraordinary achievement for e-onomastics.blogspot.com: 4 MILLION VISITS since its launch in 2012. This milestone represents far more than impressive statistics - it reflects twelve years of unwavering commitment to making onomastic research accessible, visible, and relevant to a global audience.Congratulations to everyone who has made this possible!

When e-onomastics began in 2012, few digital platforms systematically covered the diverse world of name research. Today, this blog stands as one of the longest-running and most influential onomastic blogs worldwide, serving readers from every continent.

As we celebrate 4 million, the future looks bright. The field continues evolving rapidly with AI, indigenous sovereignty movements, and interdisciplinary collaboration. e-onomastics is perfectly positioned to document, promote, and participate in these developments.

Thank you to the creator, contributors, and the entire global community. Here's to the next million visits and many more years of excellence!

🎉 Congratulations on this remarkable achievement! 🎉

Aujourd'hui marque une réussite extraordinaire pour e-onomastics.blogspot.com : 4 MILLIONS DE VISITES depuis son lancement en 2012. Ce jalon représente bien plus que des statistiques impressionnantes - il reflète douze ans d'engagement indéfectible pour rendre la recherche onomastique accessible, visible et pertinente pour un public mondial. Félicitations à tous ceux qui ont rendu cela possible !

Lorsque e-onomastics a débuté en 2012, peu de plateformes numériques couvraient systématiquement le monde diversifié de la recherche sur les noms. Aujourd'hui, ce blog est l'un des blogs onomastiques les plus anciens et les plus influents au monde, servant des lecteurs de tous les continents. 

Alors que nous célébrons 4 millions, l'avenir s'annonce prometteur. Le domaine continue d'évoluer rapidement avec l'IA, les mouvements de souveraineté autochtone et la collaboration interdisciplinaire. e-onomastics est parfaitement positionné pour documenter, promouvoir et participer à ces développements.

Merci au créateur, aux contributeurs et à toute la communauté mondiale. Au prochain million de visites et à de nombreuses années d'excellence !

🎉 Félicitations pour cette remarquable réussite ! 🎉

Heute markiert eine außergewöhnliche Leistung für e-onomastics.blogspot.com: 4 MILLIONEN BESUCHE seit seiner Gründung im Jahr 2012. Dieser Meilenstein repräsentiert weit mehr als beeindruckende Statistiken - er reflektiert zwölf Jahre unerschütterlichen Engagements, onomastische Forschung für ein globales Publikum zugänglich, sichtbar und relevant zu machen. Herzlichen Glückwunsch an alle, die dies möglich gemacht haben!

Als e-onomastics 2012 begann, berichteten wenige digitale Plattformen systematisch über die vielfältige Welt der Namenforschung. Heute steht dieser Blog als einer der am längsten bestehenden und einflussreichsten onomastischen Blogs weltweit und dient Lesern von allen Kontinenten

Während wir 4 Millionen feiern, sieht die Zukunft vielversprechend aus. Das Feld entwickelt sich weiterhin rasant mit KI, indigenen Souveränitätsbewegungen und interdisziplinärer Zusammenarbeit. e-onomastics ist perfekt positioniert, um diese Entwicklungen zu dokumentieren, zu fördern und daran teilzunehmen.

Danke an den Schöpfer, die Mitwirkenden und die gesamte globale Gemeinschaft. Auf die nächste Million Besuche und viele weitere Jahre der Exzellenz!

🎉 Herzlichen Glückwunsch zu dieser bemerkenswerten Leistung! 🎉

CfP: 2026 Names Society of Southern Africa Biennial Congress

 The Names Society of Southern Africa (NSSA) has announced its 2026 Biennial Congress, to be held from 21 to 24 September 2026 at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

Organized in collaboration with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the University of the Witwatersrand, and the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the congress promises to be a major scholarly gathering for researchers working on names and naming across disciplines.

The conference theme is:

“Naming and renaming in postcolonial contexts: Identity and political economy discourses in contemporary onomastics.”

This theme invites reflection on the power of names in shaping identity, memory, politics, culture, and social transformation. The organizers foreground naming and renaming as practices deeply embedded in colonial and postcolonial histories, but also as tools of resistance, reclamation, negotiation, and representation. The call emphasizes the interdisciplinary breadth of contemporary onomastics, welcoming perspectives from linguistics, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, literary studies, geography, law, digital humanities, media studies, and beyond.

The congress will explore a broad range of sub-themes, including theories of names and naming, names and culture, nation-building and statecraft, names and law, indigenous knowledge systems, socio-economic onomastics, (un)conventional naming, literary onomastics, and onomastics and digital linguistics. Among the many suggested topics are naming and identity construction, decolonial naming, translation and transliteration, naming and religion, names and power, renaming policies, eco-onomastics, brand names, nicknames, political nicknaming, fictional geographies, names in the performing arts, digital corpora, and the archiving of signed geographical names.

Abstracts should be 200–250 words, written in Times New Roman 12, and must include five keywords. The title should be in bold, and contributors are asked to provide the full names of authors, their affiliations, and a reliable email address.

The deadline for submission of abstracts is 15 April 2026, with acceptance or rejection notifications by 30 April 2026.

The conference will be held primarily in person, although there will be limited online presentation options. Online participants will have access to proceedings taking place in the main plenary session. The programme will include both paper presentations and poster presentations.

Registration fees are structured as follows:

• Delegates: R5,500 early / R6,000 late

• Online delegates: R2,500 early / R3,000 late

• Students: R4,000 early / R4,500 late

• Exhibitors and stalls: R6,000 early / R6,500 late

Early registration is available up to 30 June 2026, while late registration begins on 1 July 2026.

The abstract submission link is:
https://form.jotform.com/260392069388568

For enquiries, correspondence should be directed to:
2026NSSAconference@tut.ac.za

This promises to be a stimulating event for scholars interested in the dynamic social, political, cultural, legal, literary, and digital dimensions of names. It will also be an important forum for discussing naming and renaming in African and global postcolonial contexts.

2026 schedule for Onomastics Online

 We are pleased to announce the 2026 schedule for Onomastics Online. A note of gratitude to our esteemed speakers, who cover a range of onomastic topics. You are warmly invited to this exciting programme.

Please note that (free) pre-registration is required to access the lectures. The abstracts are also available on the registration page. Reminders about upcoming talks will be circulated about a month beforehand.

Please note the time slot for the last two lectures: 17:00 UTC+1

🟡 List of upcoming and past lectures: https://lnkd.in/ghMC5dJk
🟡 Previous lectures: https://lnkd.in/gpys_rVB