Divine Onomastics News #1 - A New Era of Collaboration in the Study of Sacred Names

 📅 Mark Your Calendars: January 19, 2026

If you’ve ever wondered how ancient gods were named - or how those names reveal hidden layers of belief, power, and identity across cultures - you’re in for a treat. The Mapping Ancient Polytheisms (MAP) project is launching its very first “Divine Onomastics News” (DON 1) online workshop, scheduled for January 19, 2026. This isn’t just another academic webinar. It’s the beginning of a bold, collaborative experiment in real-time scholarly exchange - one that invites researchers from around the globe to share unpublished findings, fresh interpretations, and emerging methodologies in the field of divine onomastics: the study of the names of gods.

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🌐 What Is MAP?

Before we dive into the event, let’s talk about the powerhouse behind it: Mapping Ancient Polytheisms (MAP). MAP is an ambitious, long-term research initiative aimed at compiling and analyzing divine names from across the ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern worlds. Their database already contains over 27,000 divine onomastic sequences - and they’re not stopping there. By 2026, they aim to achieve near-exhaustive coverage of known divine names, while continuously updating their records with new inscriptions, readings, and bibliographic references.

Think of it as a “Wikipedia meets peer-reviewed archaeology” project - but focused exclusively on the sacred names that shaped ancient religious landscapes. And yes, they’re doing this with the help of an international network of colleagues, whom they gratefully acknowledge as indispensable to their documentary mission.

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🎯 What’s Happening at DON 1?

Starting in 2026, MAP will host an annual online workshop dedicated to sharing new developments in divine onomastics - with a special focus on the Greek and Semitic spheres, though other cultural areas are welcome too.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Short, punchy presentations (just 20 minutes each)
• Presentations can be in French, English, German, Italian, or Spanish
• Topics? Anything fresh: an unpublished inscription, a new reading of a divine name, a novel interpretation, or even a new tool or methodology you’re developing

The best part? No publication pressure. This isn’t a conference where you need to have a polished paper ready. It’s a space to share work-in-progress, test ideas, and get feedback from peers - all while contributing to the collective growth of the field.

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📬 How to Get Involved

Want to present? You’re invited!

Send your proposal to: 📧 corinne.bonnet@sns.it or sylvain.lebreton@univ-tlse2.fr

Your submission should include:

• A provisional title
• A brief summary (2–3 lines) describing your topic

Deadline: December 20, 2025

That’s right - there’s still time to prepare something brilliant.

The workshop is co-organized by two prestigious institutions:

• Université Toulouse – Jean Jaurès (France)
• Scuola Normale Superiore (Italy)

These are not just logos on a poster—they represent deep expertise in classical studies, ancient religions, and digital humanities.

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📣 Final Thoughts

The launch of DON 1 signals more than just a new workshop - it marks the beginning of a new kind of scholarly community. One that values speed, openness, and shared discovery over rigid hierarchies and delayed publication. So if you’re working on anything related to divine names—whether from Greece, Mesopotamia, Canaan, Egypt, or beyond - don’t sit this one out. Submit your idea. Join the conversation. Be part of the future of divine onomastics.

We’ll see you online on January 19, 2026.

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Iranian Surname Project Receives Grant from Persian Heritage Foundation

 In a meaningful step toward preserving and celebrating cultural identity, three international researchers have been awarded a grant by the Persian Heritage Foundation for their pioneering Iranian Surname Project. 

Led by JD candidate Cameron Azimi (USA), alongside Dr. Eugen Schochenmaier (Germany) and Dr. Fatemeh Akbari (Austria), this initiative aims to map and decode the rich tapestry of Iranian family names within the United States diaspora.

Why This Project Matters Now

At its heart, the Iranian Surname Project is more than an academic exercise - it’s a timely response to the growing need for cultural continuity and understanding in an increasingly globalized world. For many Iranian-Americans, surnames are not just identifiers but living artifacts of history, carrying within them echoes of ancestral villages, professions, and stories that span continents and generations.

The need for such a project is particularly urgent today. As the Iranian diaspora in the U.S. continues to grow and evolve, younger generations often find themselves at a crossroads between their American upbringing and their Persian heritage. Surnames, especially those formalized only a century ago in Iran, can become cryptic links to a past that feels distant. This project seeks to translate those links, offering clarity and connection where there might otherwise be disconnect.

More Than a List - A Living Archive

Rather than simply cataloging names, the project will build a tailored, user-friendly online database designed specifically for the Iranian-American community. It will explore the meanings, origins, and fascinating variations of surnames - acknowledging the different spellings that have emerged through immigration, personal choice, and the challenges of transliterating Persian into the Latin alphabet.

In doing so, it addresses a practical need: helping families navigate official documents, preserve oral histories, and foster a deeper sense of belonging. It also serves as a vital resource for educators, historians, and anyone interested in the dynamic interplay of migration, language, and identity.

A Unifying Lens in a Multicultural Landscape

At a broader level, the Iranian Surname Project contributes to the rich mosaic of American multiculturalism. By studying how names adapt, endure, and gain new significance in a new homeland, the project illuminates the universal story of immigrant integration while honoring the unique narrative of the Iranian community.

The Persian Heritage Foundation’s support recognizes that preserving cultural heritage is not about looking backward, but about building bridges - between generations, between identities, and between Iran and America. This grant is an investment in memory, understanding, and the stories that connect us all.

We look forward to seeing the invaluable resource that emerges from this important work - one that will undoubtedly enrich the Iranian-American community and broaden our collective appreciation for the power of a name.

A Deep Dive into Onomastics: Highlights from the ICOS Newsletter 34

 The latest newsletter from the International Council of Onomastic Sciences (ICOS) offers a panoramic view of a vibrant and evolving field. For anyone interested in the study of names - be they personal, place, or commercial - this document is a treasure trove of information, announcing major congresses, research breakthroughs, and significant institutional
collaborations.

Let’s explore the key highlights from this comprehensive update.

Major Events: Past and Future

The newsletter reflects on a successful 28th International Congress in Helsinki (August 2024), themed "Sustainability of names, naming and onomastics," which attracted 223 participants from 39 countries. The proceedings are forthcoming in Onomastica Uralica.

All eyes are now on the future: the 29th International Congress is confirmed for Vienna, Austria, from 16-20 August 2027. Hosted at the prestigious Austrian Academy of Sciences, the theme will be "Names as Condensed Narratives," promising a rich exploration of names across all categories and research traditions.

Strategic Advances and Collaborations

Several developments signal onomastics' growing influence in broader academic and standardization circles:

• Journal Prestige: ICOS's flagship journal, Onoma, has achieved a significant milestone by being accepted into Scopus and the Web of Science, dramatically increasing its global visibility and impact.

• ISO Standardization: A landmark achievement is ICOS's formal collaboration with ISO (International Organization for Standardization). ICOS has joined the key working group ISO/TC 37/SC 1/WG 3 and is tasked with leading the development of a dedicated international standard for onomastic terminology. This move positions onomastics firmly within global linguistic and terminological standardization efforts.

• UN Engagement: Cooperation with the UN Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) continues to strengthen, particularly through the newly founded ICOS Working Group on Toponymy, which now has 66 global members. Efforts are underway to harmonize core toponymic terms (like endonym, exonym, microtoponym) between ICOS and UNGEGN glossaries.

Vibrant Community Activities

The newsletter showcases a dynamic community through:

• Onomastics Online: A regular lecture series featuring global experts, with topics ranging from names in sign language to toponymic changes in digital repositories. All recordings are available on ICOS's YouTube channel.

• Active Working Groups: Updates from the Terminology, Bibliography, and Toponymy groups highlight ongoing projects, publications, and dictionaries that are shaping the field's foundations.

• Global Network: An updated list of 25 affiliated organizations worldwide, from the American Name Society to the Nordic cooperative committee NORNA, underscores the discipline's extensive network.

A Wealth of Resources

For researchers and enthusiasts, the newsletter is an invaluable current awareness tool. It contains exhaustive, curated lists of:

• Forthcoming Conferences & Workshops (2025-2026)

• Recently Published Books in onomastics (2024-2025)

• Latest Journal Issues across dozens of specialized periodicals

• New Databases and Software, including tools for comparing digital gazetteers and apps featuring South African Sign Language place names.

In summary, ICOS Newsletter 34 paints a picture of a discipline that is both deeply scholarly and actively engaged with global issues of standardization, cultural heritage, and digital transformation. It is an essential read for staying connected to the pulse of onomastic research worldwide.

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Un Aperçu de l'Onomastique : Les Points Forts du Bulletin ICOS 34 (Novembre 2025)

Le dernier bulletin du Conseil International des Sciences Onomastiques (ICOS) offre une vue panoramique d'un domaine dynamique et en évolution. Pour toute personne intéressée par l'étude des noms – qu'ils soient personnels, lieux ou commerciaux – ce document est un trésor d'informations, annonçant des congrès majeurs, des avancées scientifiques et des collaborations institutionnelles importantes.

Explorons les points clés de cette mise à jour complète.

Événements majeurs : Passé et Futur

Le bulletin revient sur le succès du 28e Congrès International à Helsinki (août 2024), sur le thème « Durabilité des noms, dénomination et onomastique », qui a attiré 223 participants de 39 pays. Les actes seront publiés dans Onomastica Uralica.

Tous les regards se tournent désormais vers l'avenir : le 29e Congrès International est confirmé à Vienne, Autriche, du 16 au 20 août 2027. Organisé au sein de la prestigieuse Académie autrichienne des sciences, le thème sera « Les noms comme récits condensés », promettant une exploration riche des noms à travers toutes les catégories et traditions de recherche.

Avancées stratégiques et collaborations

Plusieurs développements témoignent de l'influence croissante de l'onomastique dans les cercles académiques et de normalisation :

• Prestige de la revue : La revue phare de l'ICOS, Onoma, a franchi une étape importante en étant acceptée dans Scopus et le Web of Science, augmentant considérablement sa visibilité et son impact mondiaux.

• Normalisation ISO : Une réalisation historique est la collaboration formelle de l'ICOS avec l'ISO (Organisation internationale de normalisation). L'ICOS a rejoint le groupe de travail clé ISO/TC 37/SC 1/WG 3 et est chargé de piloter le développement d'une norme internationale dédiée à la terminologie onomastique. Cette initiative positionne fermement l'onomastique dans les efforts mondiaux de normalisation linguistique et terminologique.

• Engagement auprès de l'ONU : La coopération avec le Groupe d'experts des Nations Unies sur les noms géographiques (GENUNG) continue de se renforcer, notamment grâce au Groupe de travail de l'ICOS sur la toponymie, nouvellement créé, qui compte désormais 66 membres mondiaux. Des efforts sont en cours pour harmoniser les termes toponymiques fondamentaux (comme endonyme, exonyme, microtoponyme) entre les glossaires de l'ICOS et du GENUNG.

Activités communautaires dynamiques

Le bulletin met en avant une communauté dynamique à travers :

• Onomastics Online : Une série de conférences régulières mettant en vedette des experts internationaux, sur des sujets allant des noms en langue des signes aux changements toponymiques dans les dépôts numériques. Tous les enregistrements sont disponibles sur la chaîne YouTube de l'ICOS.

• Groupes de travail actifs : Les actualités des groupes Terminologie, Bibliographie et Toponymie mettent en lumière les projets en cours, les publications et les dictionnaires qui façonnent les fondements de la discipline.

• Réseau mondial : Une liste mise à jour de 25 organisations affiliées dans le monde, de l'American Name Society au comité de coopération nordique NORNA, souligne l'étendue du réseau de la discipline.

Une mine de ressources

Pour les chercheurs et les passionnés, le bulletin est un outil de veille incontournable. Il contient des listes exhaustives et organisées :

• Conférences et ateliers à venir (2025-2026)

• Livres récemment publiés en onomastique (2024-2025)

• Derniers numéros de revues à travers des dizaines de périodiques spécialisés

• Nouvelles bases de données et logiciels, incluant des outils pour comparer des répertoires géographiques numériques et des applications présentant des noms de lieux en langue des signes sud-africaine.

En résumé, le Bulletin ICOS 34 dresse le portrait d'une discipline à la fois profondément savante et activement engagée dans les questions mondiales de normalisation, de patrimoine culturel et de transformation numérique. C'est une lecture essentielle pour rester connecté à l'actualité de la recherche onomastique dans le monde.

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Ein Einblick in die Onomastik: Höhepunkte aus dem ICOS Rundbrief 34 (November 2025)

Der neueste Rundbrief des Internationalen Rates für Onomastische Wissenschaften (ICOS) bietet einen Panoramablick auf ein lebendiges und sich entwickelndes Forschungsfeld. Für alle, die sich für die Erforschung von Namen – ob Personen-, Orts- oder Wirtschaftsnamen – interessieren, ist dieses Dokument eine Fundgrube an Informationen, die große Kongresse, Forschungserfolge und bedeutende institutionelle Kooperationen ankündigt.

Sehen wir uns die wichtigsten Höhepunkte dieses umfassenden Updates an.

Großveranstaltungen: Vergangenheit und Zukunft

Der Rundbrief blickt zurück auf einen erfolgreichen 28. Internationalen Kongress in Helsinki (August 2024) zum Thema „Nachhaltigkeit von Namen, Namensgebung und Onomastik“, der 223 Teilnehmer aus 39 Ländern anzog. Der Tagungsband erscheint demnächst in Onomastica Uralica.

Alle Augen richten sich nun auf die Zukunft: Der 29. Internationale Kongress ist bestätigt für Wien, Österreich, vom 16. bis 20. August 2027. Ausgerichtet an der renommierten Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, wird das Thema „Namen als verdichtete Erzählungen“ eine tiefgehende Erforschung von Namen in allen Kategorien und Forschungstraditionen versprechen.

Strategische Fortschritte und Kooperationen

Mehrere Entwicklungen unterstreichen den wachsenden Einfluss der Onomastik in der breiteren akademischen und Normungslandschaft:

• Zeitschriftenprestige: Die ICOS-Flaggschiffzeitschrift Onoma hat einen bedeutenden Meilenstein erreicht, indem sie in Scopus und den Web of Science aufgenommen wurde, was ihre globale Sichtbarkeit und Reichweite dramatisch erhöht.

• ISO-Normung: Eine wegweisende Errungenschaft ist die formelle Zusammenarbeit von ICOS mit der ISO (Internationale Organisation für Normung). ICOS ist der zentralen Arbeitsgruppe ISO/TC 37/SC 1/WG 3 beigetreten und hat die Aufgabe übernommen, die Entwicklung eines eigenen internationalen Standards für onomastische Terminologie zu leiten. Dieser Schritt verankert die Onomastik fest in der globalen sprachlichen und terminologischen Normungsarbeit.

• Zusammenarbeit mit der UN: Die Kooperation mit der UN-Expertengruppe für Geographische Namen (UNGEGN) wird weiter gestärkt, insbesondere durch die neu gegründete ICOS-Arbeitsgruppe zur Toponymie, die nun 66 Mitglieder weltweit hat. Es laufen Bemühungen, grundlegende toponymische Begriffe (wie Endonym, Exonym, Mikrotoponym) zwischen den Glossaren von ICOS und UNGEGN zu harmonisieren.

Lebendige Gemeinschaftsaktivitäten

Der Rundbrief zeigt eine dynamische Gemeinschaft auf:

• Onomastics Online: Eine regelmäßige Vortragsreihe mit internationalen Experten, deren Themen von Namen in Gebärdensprache bis zu toponymischen Veränderungen in digitalen Repositorien reichen. Alle Aufzeichnungen sind auf dem YouTube-Kanal von ICOS verfügbar.

• Aktive Arbeitsgruppen: Updates der Gruppen für Terminologie, Bibliographie und Toponymie heben laufende Projekte, Publikationen und Wörterbücher hervor, die die Grundlagen des Fachs prägen.

• Globales Netzwerk: Eine aktualisierte Liste von 25 angeschlossenen Organisationen weltweit, von der American Name Society bis zum nordischen Kooperationskomitee NORNA, unterstreicht das weitreichende Netzwerk der Disziplin.

Eine Fülle an Ressourcen

Für Forschende und Enthusiasten ist der Rundbrief ein unschätzbares Werkzeug zur aktuellen Information. Er enthält umfassende, kuratierte Listen zu:

• Kommenden Konferenzen & Arbeitstreffen (2025-2026)

• Kürzlich erschienenen Büchern zur Onomastik (2024-2025)

• Neuesten Zeitschriftenheften in Dutzenden von Fachzeitschriften

• Neuen Datenbanken und Software, einschließlich Werkzeugen zum Vergleich digitaler Ortsnamenverzeichnisse und Apps mit Ortsnamen in südafrikanischer Gebärdensprache.

Zusammenfassend zeichnet der ICOS Rundbrief 34 das Bild einer Disziplin, die sowohl tief in der Wissenschaft verwurzelt als auch aktiv mit globalen Fragen der Normung, des Kulturerbes und des digitalen Wandels beschäftigt ist. Er ist eine essentielle Lektüre, um mit dem Puls der onomastischen Forschung weltweit verbunden zu bleiben.

Registration Opens: ANS Name of the Year 2025 Discussion and Vote

 

ANS Name of the Year 2025 Discussion and Vote

Thursday, January 8, 2026 on Zoom, 12 – 2pm PST

REGISTRATION is now open! Click here to register for the discussion and vote.

Join us for our annual Name of the Year discussion! We will be nominating, discussing, and voting on eligible names in the following categories:

• Personal Names: Names of groups or individuals, including nicknames, given names, surnames, or a combination of these.
• Place Names: Names or nicknames of any real geographical locations (e.g., rivers, lakes, mountains, streets, buildings, regions, countries, etc.).
• Brand Names: Names of commercial products, companies, organizations, and businesses (both for-profit and non-profit). This category includes personal names used as brands for commerce.
• Artistic/Literary Names: Names of fictional persons, places, or institutions, in any written, oral, or visual medium (e.g., titles of art or musical works, books, plays, tv programs, movies, games, etc.).
• E-Names: Names of online platforms, websites, and movements, as well as hashtags, usernames, etc.
• Miscellaneous Names: Names that do not fit in any of the above five categories.

The discussion will be conducted by Laurel Sutton, Name of the Year Coordinator.

You can nominate names via this form

Advance nominations must be received no later than December 31st, 2025, at midnight Pacific.